If the prime minister is right, and New Zealand’s ties to the monarchy will only strengthen under Charles III, the country will be swimming against the Commonwealth tide.
King Charles III has been praised for keeping it simple by choosing to reign under his own name. But the royal name of Charles comes with some heavy historical baggage.
The new queen was a subversive model for American women of the 1950s, and many traveled to London for her coronation. Their daughters and granddaughters will be among those mourning the monarch’s death.
Over the 70 years of her reign, Queen Elizabeth II has been part of Aotearoa New Zealand’s living history, touching everything from the role of women to the Treaty of Waitangi.
Queen Elizabeth harnessed goodwill from Canadians mostly as an individual, rather than as the hereditary head of an institution. But her death will lead to debate about the relevance of the monarchy.
Framers of the Constitution put in a clause giving lawmakers immunity from liability for any ‘speech or debate.’ Interpreting it may be key in the battle to get some Republicans to testify.