J AU.; TRAL A ,16
PRIME MINISTER
CANBERRA 24 February 1981
j
PRINCE OF WA'LES
The monarchy is interwoven in Australian life in a very real
and vital way. The Crown is part of our constitutional
processes of Government. -Feeling for the Royal Family is
0 deep-seated in the emotions of many Australians, and we all
share and enjoy the public occasions which add colour to Qur
contemporary scene. Each of us can look back on events in
our own lifetime affecting the Royal Family and they stand out
in our memory.
Tonight-is such an occasion.
Her Majesty the Queen has announced from Buckingham Palace the
engagemz---of His Rdyal Highness the Prince of Wales to
Lady Diana. s Spencer. The announcement has been conveyed to his
Excellen-i the Governor-General and to the Australian Government.
On beha cf the Goverrnent, and all Australians, I welcome the
annoupct with great pleasure and extend congratulations and
good wisas to Prince Charles and Lady Diana..
I am not able to say that the announcement has caught the
Australian people entirely unaware or unprepared. The media has
assisted us in, at times, graphic detail. But thus prepared I
can say with even greater assurance that we applaud the announcement
and look forward with excitement to the pageantry of a Royal wedding.
Australian people hold PrinceCharles in special regard. From the
completion of his schooling here as a young man, and his subsequent
five visits to Australia, we have come to recognise and applaud his
sense of humour and his dedication; his outgoing personality and his
concern for people. He has spoken many times of his affection for
Australia and Australians. We have a great affection for him,-in
which his wife-to-be will now share.
Prince Charles will be visiting Australia again later this year and
he will be given a warm welcome. I do not know when we might have
the great pleasure of welcoming Lady Diana to Australia but whenever
that is, I am certain that the welcome will be equally warm, equally
affectionate.
The Crown gives us a focal point in our development as a nation and
links us with our history and our origins. The significance of the
monarchy is not diminishing. It is not fading in Australian
consciousness. I.,
-2-
The Queen and her family are part of a living and relevant:
institution, which in Australia is'very much tied to our
ownm institutions and emotions. We all share with Her Majesty
the Queen and Prince Philip, and the other members of the
Royal Family, the joy of this particular occasion and to them
also we extend our good wishes.
I shall be conveying our sentiments" to Prince Charles and
Lady Diana, and to Her Majesty the Queen, on behalf of all
Australians. oo00oo---