Australia and the British monarchy have an undeniably special relationship, yet they have always made for an odd couple- the rebellious, egalitarian nation wedded to an ancient symbol of social inequality. So what is the magic the royals hold over Australians?

Australia and the British monarchy have an undeniably special relationship, yet they have always made for an odd couple- the rebellious, egalitarian nation wedded to an ancient symbol of social inequality. So what is the magic the royals hold over Australians?

Queen Victoria was revered in Australia, even though she’d never seen the place and showed little interest in it. When her son Prince Alfred visited in 1867, on the first ever royal tour of Australia, he was received rapturously, and nearly assassinated. In 1954 Australia was gripped by royal fever when newly crowned Queen Elizabeth II landed on its shores; and more than sixty years later, having turned 90, she is as popular in Australia as she ever was. Not only that, but with the popularity of William, Kate, George and Charlotte burgeoning, against the odds the monarchy looks set to enter the hearts and minds of a new generation of Australians.

As one of our most popular writers of Australian history, David Hill guides us with panache through this most peculiar state of affairs.