Prince Harry and Meghan: Shock decision reignites Australia’s republic debate

Prince Harry and Meghan’s decision to step back from royal duties has breathed new life into an age-old debate.

Many young Australians admire Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for their rejection of traditional royal roles. Picture: Getty

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s spectacular split from the senior ranks of the royal family has breathed new life into the age-old debate over Australia’s ties to the British monarchy.

Peter FitzSimons, Chair of the Australian Republic Movement, said the decision by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to “step back” from their duties highlights the royal family’s waning power and brought its “surprising fragility” into sharp focus.

“The monarchy is supposed to symbolise stability while the rest of the world changes and regimes rise and fall,” Mr FitzSimons told The Australian.

“One of the most popular members of the royal family has said he doesn’t want to be in the royal family anymore and that makes people think and talk about it,” he said. “It’s definitely good for the republic movement (and) we are picking up steam again.”

For monarchists, the popularity of Harry and Meghan has been seen as critical to maintaining the royal link.

Prince Harry is easily one of the most recognisable royals, and many young Australians admire him and his American wife for their rejection of traditional royal roles.

Philip Benwell, chair of the Australian Monarchist League, conceded it was “disappointing” the “very popular” couple had chosen to step out of the limelight.

“Harry and Meghan enjoyed widespread crowds in Australia,” Mr Benwell said. “But they will still be around, they just won’t be as heavily involved as before.”

However, he dismissed the relevancy of the bombshell announcement to Australia’s relationship with the royal family.

“Constitutionally, this has no relevance to Australia and it’s just a matter for arrangements within the royal family,” he said.

“While Australians will be disappointed, Harry and Meghan play no part in our system of government so it’s not relevant as far as Australia is concerned.”

Mr Benwell acknowledged that the republic movement and FitzSimons would use the royal rift as a “marketing exercise,” but argued it wouldn’t “catch on with the people.”

“The (republic movement) will argue Harry and Meghan are stepping back, so should Australia,” he said. “But there won’t be any move to a republic any time soon and even Peter FitzSimons sees that. Of course, that doesn’t mean to say they won’t continue.”

Still, the polls seem to suggest that Harry and Meghan’s bold move could shake Australians’ support of the royal family.

A Newspoll in November 2018, just after a royal tour by Harry and Meghan, found only 40 per cent of Australians supported a republic.

It was the first time since 1999 that a poll found more people opposed the change.

“Look, the fairytale stuff will go on,” Mr FitzSimons said. “In 15 years, we’ll be a republic and Prince George will go out and it will still be all over the papers,” he said.

But if there’s one issue both FitzSimons and Benwell can agree on when it comes to the royal family, it’s sympathy for the plight of the Duke and Duchess.

“A lot of people sympathise with Harry and Meghan and I hope people respect their request for privacy,” Benwell said. “I quite admire them for saying they don’t want to be a part of it anymore.”