Prince George to make diplomatic debut
Royal family heads to Australia and New Zealand in April, with the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George making their first official trip down under.
PT1M5S http://ift.tt/1koPqP8 620 349 March 3, 2014 - 8:00AM
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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George are headed our way - but unfortunately not all of the way.
The official itinerary for the latest royal tour of the antipodes will not include Melbourne.
They will visit the Sydney Opera House, of course, but not our Arts Centre. They will tour the bushfire-ravaged Blue Mountains, but not Morwell. They will enjoy a yacht race on Auckland Harbour, but not on Port Phillip Bay. Destinations in five Australian states and territories will get the royal treatment (including Adelaide), but we are not among them. And we are not amused.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with Prince George. Photo: Getty Images
James Griffiths of Toorak - ''a stalwart and ongoing believer in the Commonwealth of Nations, and an unabashed admirer of the stoicism of Queen Elizabeth II'' - was disappointed in the ''glaring omission'' from the April tour diary.
Back in 1983, the Geelong Grammar old boy was lucky enough to meet Princess Diana at the opening of Bourke Street Mall. There is even a photo of a tuxedoed teenage Mr Griffiths kissing the hand of the Princess of Wales.
He laments that no young Melburnian monarchist will have the chance to try that same move on Kate Middleton on her first trip here. ''I don't know if I would call it a snub,'' Mr Griffiths said. ''I'm not hurt or offended, but it does seem curious that Melbourne is left out. It seems a great pity to me, and would to plenty of others.''
Daniel Czech, a local branch member of the Australian Monarchist League, was forgiving of the slight. He understands that a busy schedule of wreath-laying and hospice visits will not leave time for everything or everyone.
Mr Czech did not hesitate to roll out the welcome mat, however, should the powers that be change their mind. ''When the Queen came to Federation Square on her last trip, that was very popular,'' he said. ''So if they did come to Melbourne, I'm sure they'd get a rapturous reception.''
The enraptured would likely not include Adam Collins, convener of the Victorian branch for the Australian Republican Movement. Mr Collins said he ''would be surprised if Victorians lose even a moment's sleep'', although he admits it is odd they could not spare one day here.
A right royal snub: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince George. Photo: Getty Images
''They could have cradled a pie and a beer in standing room at the footy before nipping into town for a couple of comedy festival shows,'' Mr Collins said. ''I think they need a new travel agent.''
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