Australian anger over Prince William support for England 2018 growing

By Duncan Mackay

January 18 – Prince William (pictured) has again been attacked for supporting England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup ahead of Australia’s, even though he is one day set to become the country’s head of state.

William is due to visit Australia in an official capacity for the first time this week and his lack of support for the country’s World Cup campaign has become the focus of fierce criticism from the Australian Republican Movement (ARM).

Major General Mike Keating, the chairman of the ARM, said: ”To have a future head of state who lobbies against Australian interests in favour of his own country is unacceptable for any sovereign nation.

“It offends the independence and aspirations of the Australian people.

“The fact is, the monarchy has little relevance to Australia these days because it no longer represents the nation’s values or modern day sense of itself.”

William is second in line become Australia’s head of state behind his father Prince Charles.

William, the President of the Football Association, has been the most high-profile backer of England’s bid to host the World Cup and is expected to play a leading role in the campaign during the run-up to the FIFA vote in Zurich on December 2.

The ARM plan to protest outside Government House in Melbourne on Thursday (January 21) when William is due to give an Australia Day address.

Keating said: ”Given his acknowledged lack of familiarity with Australia and Australians, he is speaking as a foreign dignitary on our National Day, not as one of us.”

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