NZCPR Newsletter: Long Live the King!

The Coronation of King Charles III was watched by over 400 million people worldwide. Millions of royal fans crowded into London to be part of the celebration, with over a hundred thousand lining the procession route.

The pomp and pageantry of the Westminster Abbey ceremony dates back almost 1,000 years to William the Conqueror in 1066. King Charles III is the 40th sovereign to be crowned there. The coronation chair used by the new King was built for King Edward I in 1297, and the golden coach, carrying the newly crowned King and Queen was built in 1762. Weighing 4 tonne, the team of eight Windsor Greys that pulled the carriage were amongst 200 horses taking part in the event.

Thomas Cranmer: Realpolitik and New Zealand's Relationship with the Crown

While New Zealand's transition to a republic may seem inevitable, the influence of realpolitik could potentially dictate otherwise.

On Saturday, King Charles III was crowned in London in a magnificent ceremony steeped in tradition that celebrated the continuation of the monarchy’s long history. Every detail emphasised its ancient past and the link between God, king, and country. More than that, it was a celebration of Britishness complete with pomp, pageantry and wacky eccentricity.

In the Commonwealth Realms, King Charles’ accession to the throne has been greeted in more subdued fashion. Over many years, there was the suggestion that the Queen’s death would trigger reform of New Zealand’s constitutional arrangements. However, whilst questions of republicanism have inevitably arisen over the last six months, it is notable that both upon Charles’ accession to the throne and his Coronation, the discussion around those questions by politicians and in the media has been muted.

In his final press conference before departing New Zealand for London last week, Prime Minister Hipkins suggested that he was a republican because his belief was that in time we would become a “fully independent country”.

Mike Hosking: Poll still shows change is coming

I think the biggest loser out of last night's TVNZ poll is TVNZ who spent a decent chunk of money on a poll that essentially told us nothing happened.

National and ACT still form a government and the current Government are out of office.

It shows, I suspect, a malaise we are currently in. We're a year out from a vote, and not everyone is gripped by the minutiae of politics.

Mike Hosking: The Queen is a brilliant symbol of dedication and loyalty

I love the Queen. She might be the greatest representative of most of our lifetimes in terms of dedication, consistency, and loyalty.

She has, whether you are a republican or a monarchist, shown a set of moral and professional credentials that are sadly too scarce these days.

Her life has been dedicated to service. She had no choice; she was born into it.

The celebrations this week to mark the 70th are an indication of a couple of things.

Firstly, we will not see her like again. 70 years is a trick of fate. You need to get to the throne awfully young and live awfully long to mark 70 years. Charles won't, William won't, and Lord knows what happens to the monarchy after that.

Chris Trotter: A Matter of Time: Reflections Of A Waning Republican

I’m a Republican. At least, I used to be. Now, I’m not so sure. And, yes, this reassessment is, indeed, the result of the just completed visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George.

So, what has changed? What’s become of that young university debater who, way back in 1981, when the royalist team called for “Three cheers for Her Majesty, the Queen!” leapt to his feet and called for “Three cheers for Oliver Cromwell!”?

The answer, I’m afraid, is “Time”.