David Elliott: I’m celebrating the long weekend remembering the time I was told off by the King
As we prepare to celebrate the King’s Birthday long weekend, here’s a list of impressions I had after meeting with various members of the royal family
Opinion
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I suppose some people would think it ironic that a working class kid brought up in western Sydney has an unhealthy preoccupation with the royal family but, there you have it.
Like the majority of people across suburban Australia I voted against the proposed republic when it was put to the electorate and my fascination with the constitutional monarchy has grown even stronger since, so as we prepare to celebrate the King’s Birthday long weekend I leave you with a list of impressions I had after meeting with various members of the royal family.
Princess Anne. If I was in a pub brawl and got to pick one member of the royal family to be my wingman, it would be Princess Anne. This lady drips with confidence and has this ability to ask the most pertinent questions. I got to meet her in September 2000 when I had just returned from peacekeeping and she hosted a morning tea at Victoria Barracks in her capacity as the Colonel Commandant of the Royal Australian Signals Corps. One of those people who clearly doesn’t enter a role without the necessary passion.
Prince Edward. He came to Sydney in 2019 just after taking over the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme from his late father. I got to host him on a visit to the State Library and found that he has that one characteristic not normally associated with nobility, or politicians for that matter. Now, I’ve never really been burdened by modesty, but this bloke carries it in spades.
Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester. A long-time connection with St John Ambulance had me host a luncheon for the Duke of Gloucester in his capacity as the Grand Prior of St John. He really is the Paul Hogan of the royal family. People say that the late Queen had a wicked sense of humour but if you ever get on the cans with Richard you’re in for a funny time. Bonus points for being a Fellow of the Institute of Engineers.
Catherine, Princess of Wales. Tony Abbott arranged for Lady Elliott and I to get an invite to a reception in Canberra with Catherine and William in 2014 and I was so star struck that when I handed over a gift my son had made for their new baby I forgot the names of my own kids. Quite remarkable that she has displayed so much poise and dignity in the most difficult of personal circumstances. Doubt the republican movement will get much traction whilst she’s around.
Harry (Before Meghan). You could immediately tell this bloke was born to be a soldier. I hosted him before the Invictus Games so he could inspect some of the venues and our preparations and he was a fun-loving knock-about lad with hints of his mother’s style and his father’s sense of occasion yet still made us all feel at ease in his presence, which was just as well given Lady Elliott let her Irish Catholic Republican sympathies slip out when she accidentally called him “H” at a cocktail party.
Ms Meghan Markle. If you ever get a chance to meet Ms Markle, don’t.
Harry (After Meghan). You think you know a bloke! We’ve all met those husbands who have allowed their partner to “change” them so don’t think the royal family are immune from similar challenges. I felt sorry for him because when he came out in the spring of 2018 for the Invictus Games he didn’t smile much.
Prince William. Having met this bloke with his missus in 2014 I took an instant like to his calm and relaxed nature. But that’s not why I respect the heir apparent. Take a personal tip from me, any husband who has had to nurse his bride through cancer has stared the devil in the eye. Tragically, it’s probably the best experience he is likely to have been put through to ensure his reign will be one of empathy and compassion. Every dark cloud….
King Charles. The boss. Lady Elliott and I got to meet Charles at a garden party hosted by the Governor on his visit in 2018. I attended in my capacity as Minister for Veterans Affairs and watched him work the crowd like nobody I have ever known.
He was so across his brief that when we got to chat I was baffled at how much he knew about the challenges facing Australian veterans, he got so passionate about it I even copped a right royal finger pointing. Now, I’ve been chewed out by plenty of important people, but to be given a gob full by the King was pretty cool.
Fun fact, this is the oldest public holiday on the statute books so it’s a hearty “Happy Birthday”
Your Majesty, thanks for the day off.
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