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Prince’s visit and new baby show affection for royal family

Prince’s visit and new baby show affection for royal family

The arrival of a royal baby is always a much-anticipated event.

It is a safe bet that whatever their views on the royal family, Australians would have taken delight in the news that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had welcomed a daughter into the world.

It was an uplifting moment after what has been a rather grim period.

The new Princess of Cambridge, a sister to George, has a unique place in history as the first royal to benefit from recent changes to the law that dictate her position cannot be usurped by younger brothers.

The princess is the Queen’s fifth great-grandchild and is fourth in line to the throne, thanks to the Perth agreement, struck by Commonwealth leaders at CHOGM in Perth in 2011.

The agreement was for a simpler system — whoever is born first rules, no matter their gender.

The rule is a good sign that the monarchy recognises the march of time and the need to reflect contemporary values.

It is an approach that has helped revive the status of the royal family.

Another factor has been the likable nature of the younger members of the royal family.

This was on display in Perth in recent days while Prince Harry was on deployment with the Special Air Service Regiment, based in Swanbourne.

He endeared himself to West Australians by popping up with little fanfare around Perth.

The Prince ate at a bar in the city, visited a burger joint, a Bindoon bakery, cheered on the West Coast Eagles and also had a quick meal at a Subiaco bar.

The warmth of the welcome shown to Prince Harry and the delight with which Australians welcomed the new princess is in stark contrast to the views of many about some pro-royal decisions taken by Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

Mr Abbott’s decision last year to reinstitute knights and dames into the Australian honours list raised eyebrows, even among members of his own ranks.

Then came the knighthood of Prince Philip, which was roundly ridiculed.

Mr Abbott later admitted he “overdid it on awards” and pledged to leave future appointments to the Council of the Order of Australia.

Perhaps the way West Australians reacted to the presence of Prince Harry is a good pointer to how Australians feel about the monarchy in general.

It was telling that Prince Harry felt comfortable enough to decline an offer of a private area when he visited The Stables Bar, preferring instead to sit with his party among other diners.

It was also telling that his privacy was respected and he was not disturbed.

The relaxed hospitality shown by West Australians towards Prince Harry illustrated in a timely way the warm and friendly, yet mature, relationship between Australia and the young royals.