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Her Rejected Majesty?
Australia's new prime minister Kevin Rudd has announced that he will initiate a referendum on removing the Queen as head of state of his country.
Mr Rudd says: "I think the time will come before too much longer when we do have an Australian as our head of state".
In a response of sorts the Queen said in 2000: "I have always made it clear that the future of the monarchy is an issue for you, the people of Australia, and you alone to decide by democratic and constitutional means. I shall continue to serve as Queen of Australia ... to the very best of my ability. That is my duty. It is also my privilege and pleasure".
This week Buckinham Palace confirmed that this is still the view of the monarch.
A recent opinion poll conducted by The Australian newspaper reported that 45 per cent of those asked favoured a republic and 36 per cent responded that they did not and 19 per cent were uncommitted.
In a 1999 referendum, Australian voters rejected the opportunity to replace the Monarchy with an appointed President by a margin close to 55-45 percent. It is perhaps likely that any future referendum will be less precise on who or what will replace the Queen.
They will miss her when she's gone: This time God may not be able to save the Queen.
