Prince Charles dramatically rose to the challenge of republicanism, it was reported yesterday, by stating his support for a referendum on the future of the monarchy in Britain.
According to the Observer newspaper, the heir to the throne feels that such a referendum would secure renewed legitimacy for the monarchy.
The reports come after Saturday's vote in Australia in which the republican cause was defeated. One of the prince's closest aides was quoted as saying: "We all know what the result of a referendum here would be. The prince made his views on the Australia decision clear, that it was for the people to decide, and they have.
"He knows the future of the monarchy rests on the will of the people, and we would be relaxed about a vote here. Maybe we are more democratic than the republicans."
Public support for the monarchy in Britain is currently estimated at 75 per cent.
St James's Palace moved quickly to quell the rumours, insisting Prince Charles had not been making any such assertions.
A spokeswoman said he had voiced his support for the referendum in Australia, but had not expressed any view regarding a similar poll at home. "The Prince of Wales has neither expressed in public or in private any comment about a referendum on the monarchy in this country. This is pure speculation," she said,
Sources close to Queen Elizabeth were meanwhile reporting that she was "hurt and disappointed" by the strength of the republican vote in Australia. In the final analysis the republicans won 45.6 per cent of the vote.
A senior royal household source quoted in yesterday's Sunday Times asserted that "the bitterness of the anti-monarchist campaign surprised her. The hurt was caused by the feeling that they were trying to cast her out. She has, after all, dedicated her life to the Commonwealth".
In a statement issued by Buckingham Palace on Saturday, the queen said: "My family and I would, of course, have retained our deep affection for Australia and Australians everywhere, whatever the outcome . . . I shall continue to serve under the constitution as Queen of Australia to the very best of my ability in the future, as I have tried to do over these past 47 years."
Queen Elizabeth went on to present the Rugby World Cup to the Australian team captain and prominent republican, John Eales.