Constitutional monarchy

Mahsa Amini: a year into the protest movement in Iran, this is what’s changed

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, September 16, 2023

Amini died after being arrested for allegedly breaching hijab rules.

Key Points: 
  • Amini died after being arrested for allegedly breaching hijab rules.
  • The news of her death prompted nationwide protests, jolting the foundations of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

How protests took hold

    • The state’s reaction to the Women, Life, Freedom protests that broke out in reaction to Amini’s death has been predictably draconian.
    • Sources suggest hundreds have been killed, a staggering nearly 30,000 detained , and a spate of executions have been carried out.
    • Just as troubling are the tales emerging from the shadows, stories of detainees facing unspeakable horrors, from torture to rape.
    • Although the ruling elite’s ongoing struggle to enforce the compulsory hijab appears futile, the regime is showing no signs of conceding.

Where did it all start?

    • Misuse of power, corruption, catastrophic economic policies and the unabashed use of violence have methodically whittled away the revolutionary “allure” of the regime.
    • But while the student protests of 1999 and the Green movement of 2009 were significant chapters in Iranian history, the post-2018 period witnessed a tectonic shift.
    • Protests are no longer confined to urban centres – they’re nationwide, audacious and challenge the very core of the Islamic Republic’s ideology.
    • The Women, Life, Freedom movement, with its lasting impact and international spotlight, stands as a testament to this change.
    • While the move towards democracy may span years, the desperate desire for change must, surely, shift the prevailing order.

King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden: 50 years of banal royalism

Retrieved on: 
Friday, September 1, 2023

People around the world observed, in close detail, how the UK’s royal institution consolidates its authority by using ritual to link to the past.

Key Points: 
  • People around the world observed, in close detail, how the UK’s royal institution consolidates its authority by using ritual to link to the past.
  • Over the weekend of September 15 and 16 2023, Sweden will celebrate its own royal occasion, the golden jubilee of King Carl XVI Gustaf.
  • This may be of interest to the British royal family if their popularity continues to decrease over time.

Towards a low-key monarchy

    • Of the nine remaining hereditary monarchies in Europe, the Swedish monarchy has the least power and resources.
    • Many members of the Social Democratic party were pushing for the country to become a republic, while the more conservative voices sought to retain the monarchy.
    • Instead, it would remain a constitutional monarchy, with the Bernadotte dynasty holding the throne.
    • By doing away with this antiquated tradition of male-preference primogeniture, the monarchy was aligned with modernity.

An ordinary (royal) family

    • The Year with the Royal Family has been part of Christmas scheduling on public service TV since 1977.
    • A typical scene from 1985 features the family making sausages in the palace kitchen – the king in a red cardigan, the children in matching white aprons.
    • These media portrayals have sought to underline quite how ordinary the royal family is and how the public might identify with them.
    • In his 1995 book, Banal Nationalism, British social psychologist Michael Billig unpicks how nationalism is reproduced in everyday life via ordinary, unremarkable reminders.
    • Similarly, we might talk about “banal royalism” to describe how closely tied the Swedish royal institution is to the private lives of ordinary citizens – their superiority accentuated by their proximity to normal people.

Fexco Announces Corporate Sponsorship of Tonga Rugby Team

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, August 10, 2023

As rugby celebrates its 100th year in Tonga in August 2023, Fexco commits to fund Tongan preparations for the 2023 Rugby World Cup and beyond.

Key Points: 
  • As rugby celebrates its 100th year in Tonga in August 2023, Fexco commits to fund Tongan preparations for the 2023 Rugby World Cup and beyond.
  • Fexco is announcing an expansion of its commitment to the development of rugby through a new corporate sponsorship deal with the Tongan national rugby union ("Tonga rugby") ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
  • As part of the sponsorship agreement, Fexco will proudly display its logo, representing the Fexco Group, on the back of the Tonga Rugby kit's shoulders.
  • "Fexco is pleased to announce its sponsorship of the Tongan national rugby team, which expands on our ongoing support for rugby in the Pacific Islands.

Prime Minister celebrates the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, May 6, 2023

The Crown was created by the Canadian Heraldic Authority as a symbol of the Canadian monarchy and was approved by His Majesty the King.

Key Points: 
  • The Crown was created by the Canadian Heraldic Authority as a symbol of the Canadian monarchy and was approved by His Majesty the King.
  • The new flag of the Sovereign was also recently approved by King Charles III.
  • "Today, we ring in the reign of His Majesty King Charles III and reaffirm Canada's enduring commitment to the Commonwealth.
  • His Majesty King Charles III acceded to the Throne on September 8, 2022, following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

LORD ASHCROFT POLLS: NEW CORONATION POLL FINDS LEAD FOR REPUBLIC - BUT AUSSIES THINK COUNTRY WOULD KEEP THE MONARCHY IN A REFERENDUM TOMORROW

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Findings from the survey include:

Key Points: 
  • Findings from the survey include:
    35% of Australians said they would vote to remain a constitutional monarchy in a referendum tomorrow, while 42% would vote to become a republic.
  • More than 1 in 5 said they didn't know or wouldn't vote – more than the gap between the two sides.
  • Most (57%) thought the country would become a republic if a referendum were held in 10 years.
  • More than two thirds (68%) said they would want Australia to remain in the Commonwealth if the country became a republic.

LORD ASHCROFT POLLS : NORTHERN IRELAND VOTERS LEAN TOWARDS REPLACING MONARCHY, CORONATION POLL FINDS

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 3, 2023

(Voters in England would keep the monarchy by 57% to 22%, Wales by 54% to 23%, and Scotland by 46% to 32%).

Key Points: 
  • (Voters in England would keep the monarchy by 57% to 22%, Wales by 54% to 23%, and Scotland by 46% to 32%).
  • 59% of Northern Ireland voters said they had a positive view of Princess Anne, making her the most popular royal in the Province.
  • 68% of Northern Ireland voters said they thought the King and the royal family cared a lot about the country.
  • Northern Ireland voters were divided as to whether the royal family (47%) or elected politicians (53%) did a better job of connecting with ordinary people.

LORD ASHCROFT POLLS: MAJORITY OF WELSH VOTERS BACK THE MONARCHY AHEAD OF CORONATION

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 3, 2023

LONDON, May 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Most voters in Wales would vote to keep the monarchy in a referendum tomorrow, new polling from Lord Ashcroft has found.

Key Points: 
  • LONDON, May 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Most voters in Wales would vote to keep the monarchy in a referendum tomorrow, new polling from Lord Ashcroft has found.
  • Findings from the survey include:
    54% of voters in Wales said they would choose to remain a constitutional monarchy in a referendum tomorrow, while 23% would vote to become a republic.
  • (Voters in England would keep the monarchy by 57% to 22%, and in Scotland by 46% to 32%.
  • Voters in Northern Ireland said they would choose a republic by 46% to 42%).

LORD ASHCROFT POLLS: NEW CORONATION POLL FINDS SCOTS WOULD VOTE TO KEEP THE MONARCHY - BUT WOULD WANT AN INDEPENDENT SCOTLAND TO HAVE A NEW HEAD OF STATE

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 3, 2023

LONDON, May 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Scots would vote to keep the monarchy in a referendum tomorrow, according to new polling from Lord Ashcroft.

Key Points: 
  • LONDON, May 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Scots would vote to keep the monarchy in a referendum tomorrow, according to new polling from Lord Ashcroft.
  • Findings from the survey include:
    46% of Scots said they would vote to remain a constitutional monarchy in a referendum tomorrow, while 32% would vote to become a republic.
  • (Voters in England would keep the monarchy by 57% to 22%, and Wales by 54% to 23%.
  • 38% said that if Scotland became independent they would want the King to stay as head of state; 44% said Scotland should have its own head of state under those circumstances.

LORD ASHCROFT CORONATION POLL: UK BACKS MONARCHY, BUT SIX COUNTRIES WOULD VOTE TO BECOME REPUBLICS IN REFERENDUM TOMORROW

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 3, 2023

LONDON, May 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The UK would vote to keep the monarchy in a referendum tomorrow – but six of the 14 other countries in which King Charles is head of state would vote to become republics, according to new polling from Lord Ashcroft.

Key Points: 
  • LONDON, May 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The UK would vote to keep the monarchy in a referendum tomorrow – but six of the 14 other countries in which King Charles is head of state would vote to become republics, according to new polling from Lord Ashcroft.
  • 68% of British voters (including 82% of those choosing the monarchy) said the royal family did a better job of connecting with ordinary people than elected politicians.
  • 22,701 adults were interviewed in February and March 2023 in the 15 countries in which King Charles is head of state.
  • He is a former Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party and honorary Chairman of the International Democrat Union.

QUEEN ANNE. THE NEXT IN A FINE LINE.

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 8, 2022

SOUTHAMPTON, United Kingdom, Feb. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cunard - pioneers of luxury ocean travel, is delighted to announce the name of the new ship joining a world-renowned fleet, Queen Anne. Queen Anne will be Cunard's 249th ship and will make up a remarkable quartet of Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth. This will mark the first time since 1999 that Cunard will have four ships at sea. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3sl8o07 

Key Points: 
  • Queen Anne will be Cunard's 249th ship and will make up a remarkable quartet of Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.
  • The name "Queen Anne" celebrates Cunard's rich heritage, royal history and refined status - joining a luxury contemporary fleet now honoring the names of each Queen Regnant over the last millennium.
  • Kate says: "It is so exciting that the fourth ship of the fleet will be named after Queen Anne.
  • There are currently three Cunard ships, Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria and a fourth ship, Queen Anne, will be entering service in early 2024.