British royals unveil diamond jubilee tour

2011-12-14T15:30:51Z

Britain's royal family will tour the globe next year to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's diamond jubilee marking 60 years on the throne, Buckingham Palace announced on Wednesday.

Prince William and his wife Catherine will travel to the Asi...

Kangaroo stew for Queen at Aboriginal college

2011-11-07T10:01:58Z

Aboriginal Australia took centre stage for Queen Elizabeth II Thursday on the Perth leg of her successful 10-day antipodean tour, with kangaroo stew and Aussie Rules football on the agenda.

The monarch, 85, has been greeted by adoring crowds in Canberra, Melb...

Rain fails to deter crowds for queen in Australia

2011-10-25T06:30:29Z

Hundreds of Australians braved the rain for a glimpse of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II Tuesday as she visited the national war memorial in tribute to fallen soldiers and met with veterans.

A crowd of about 1,000 people turned out in dreary weather to see the 85-year-old monarch, cheering loudly as she stepped from her car wearing a cappuccino-coloured coat ...

Man charged with exposing himself as Queen tours

2011-10-24T11:30:19Z

A young Australian man has been charged with exposing himself and being a public nuisance as Britain's Queen Elizabeth II passed by, police said Monday.

Tens of thousands of people turned out to see the visiting monarch as she toured the Queensland capital, her first visit since the state was...

Queen met by cheering church crowds in Canberra

2011-10-22T19:30:19Z

Hundreds of well-wishers hailed Britain's Queen Elizabeth II at a historic Canberra church on Sunday where she attended an intimate service ahead of a lunch with famous Australians.

Decked out in their Sunday best and brandishing flags and flowers, an enthusiastic crowd cheered and clapped as the monarch arri...

Queen arrives in Australia for 10-day tour

2011-10-19T10:30:36Z

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II was greeted by hundreds of flag-waving schoolchildren and a 21-gun salute as she began her 16th and possibly last visit to her realm Down Under on Wednesday.

The queen, who will open a Commonwealth leaders meeting in Perth later this month, touched down at 0640 GMT in Queen Elizabeth II was greeted by hundreds of flag-waving schoolchildren and a 21-gun salute as she began her 16th and possibly last visit to her realm Down Under on Wednesday.

The queen, who will open a Commonwealth leaders meeting in Perth later this month, touched down at 0640 GMT in Canberra, where she and husband Britain's Queen Elizabeth II arrives in Australia on Wednesday for her 16th visit to the former penal colony on what will perhaps be the 85-year-old monarch's last tour Down Under.

The queen, who will open a Commonwealth leaders meeting in Perth, is due to touch down at 0700 GMT in

Nostalgia at Queen's 'farewell' Australia tour

2011-10-17T15:30:39Z

Australians prepare to welcome Britain's Queen Elizabeth II for her 16th tour Down Under this week, with the possibility of it being her last sparking renewed interest in the 85-year-old monarch.

Despite Australia's reputation as an egalitarian, irreverent and youthful nation, and its fitful starts towards ...

Australia welcomes Queen's visit

2011-09-24T02:30:37Z

Australia welcomed next month's visit by Queen Elizabeth II to an area affected by this year's huge floods, with Queensland Premier Anna Bligh saying it will boost those hit by the disaster.

The October 19-29 tour by the Queen and her husband Prince Philip...

Australia, New Zealand in royal wedding fever

2011-04-29T08:30:41Z

Australians may pride themselves on their fiercely independent spirit, but the nation indulged royally in wedding fever as Britain's -- and their -- future king tied the knot on Friday.

Even heavy rain reminiscent of the motherland failed to keep diehard fans from gathering in Sydney's Opera House district to watch Prince William ...

Royals not amused: Australia axes wedding satire

2011-04-28T04:30:28Z

Australia's national broadcaster has been forced to axe a satirical live commentary of Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding after the Royal Family made clear they were not amused.

The Australian Broa...

Royal wedding sidelines Australia republic drive

2011-04-26T02:30:56Z

Their views could not be further at odds, but the upcoming royal wedding has Australia's royalists and republicans in rare and unlikely agreement -- the monarchy is digging in Down under.

A former British penal colony famed for its boisterous irreverence, it is perhaps unsurprising that Australia is usually seen as the most republican of Queen Elizabeth II

Australian support for republic slumps: poll

2011-04-25T06:30:09Z

Support for Australia becoming a republic has fallen to a 17-year low, according to a poll published on Monday, just days ahead of Britain's royal wedding.

The Newspoll survey found that almost as many Australians wanted to retain ties to Britain's royal family as those who wanted a republic, with support for severing links falling to 41 percent -- the lowest level since Ma...

William and Kate say 'give to charity, not to us'

2011-04-25T05:30:57Z

What do you give the couple who have everything? The answer, in the case of Prince William and Kate Middleton, is a donation to charity.

Not for them the entire roomful of antique furniture including a four-poster bed in maple which Canada gave to William's mother Diana and Prince William and Kate Middleton, is a donation to charity.

Not for them the entire roomful of antique furniture including a four-poster bed in maple which Canada gave to William's mother Diana and Prince William and his bride in a midnight heist from a luxury hotel offering special wedding stays, a spokeswoman said Friday.

The cardboard couple had become something of a drawcard since being erected in the lobby of Melbourne's Hotel Windsor earlier this year, bringing a steady crowd of guests and locals keen for a h...

Australia unveils royal wedding stamp

2011-04-11T07:30:16Z

Australia launched a special stamp to commemorate Britain's pending royal nuptials Monday, with a local and international issue featuring Prince William and his bride Kate Middleton.

Australia Post said it was "delighted" to celebrate the...

Queen to visit Australia in October: palace

2011-03-24T14:30:45Z

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip will visit Australia in October, hot on the heels of their grandson Prince William who has just wrapped up a trip there, the palace said Thursday.

The visit -- the 16th by the British monarch and...

Prince William tours quake-hit Christchurch

2011-03-16T19:30:25Z

Prince William arrived in earthquake-devastated Christchurch on Thursday, the first stop on a tour of disaster-stricken areas of New Zealand and Australia.

The Prince, who is travelling without his bride-to-be

William and Kate want charity donations, not gifts

2011-03-16T10:30:51Z

Prince William and Kate Middleton on Wednesday asked for anyone intending to send them wedding gifts to instead give the money to charity, including to the New Zealand government's earthquake appeal.

Guests to the April 29 wedding and those who simply want to express their goodwill can pay int...

Prince William to tour N.Z., Australia disaster zones

2011-03-09T03:30:24Z

Prince William will take time out from planning his wedding to visit disaster-stricken New Zealand and Australia next week, travelling without bride-to-be Kate Middleton, officials said Wednesday.

Earthquake-devastated William will take time out from wedding planning to visit disaster-stricken areas of New Zealand and Australia later this month, royal officials have said.

St James's Palace said Prince William would visit earthquake-devastated New Zealand on March 17 and 18, then travel to cyclone- and flood-hit...

Heroes praised as Australia floods menace more homes

2011-01-26T03:30:23Z

Floodwaters engorged Australia's largest river on Wednesday, threatening more homes, as Prime Minister Julia Gillard called on Queen Elizabeth II to establish a new medal for disaster heroes.

The wall of water engulfing southeastern Victoria state swelled the Murray, a mighty river running 2,375 kilometres (1...

Prince William and Kate Middleton's Royal Engagement

2010-11-29T14:53:14Z

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How to Choose Sapphire Jewelry

2010-11-30T12:48:03Z

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2010 Commonwealth Games Teams and Schedule

2010-11-02T20:52:19Z

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Australian support for republic flags: poll

2010-08-29T00:15:22Z

Support for Australia becoming a republic has slumped to a 16-year-low, according to the results of a poll released Sunday which found that one-in-three people never want to break ties with Britain.

Asked whether Australia should become a republic, 48 percent of the 1,400 polled said they wanted to keep things as they are for now -- with Britain's Australia should become a republic when Queen Elizabeth II dies or abdicates, Prime Minister Julia Gillard said on Tuesday, unexpectedly reviving an emotional debate just days ahead of national polls.

Gillard, whose centre-left Labor Party is i...

My Queen and I

2010-09-10T12:14:47Z

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Australian documentary on Thai royals sparks outrage

2010-04-16T21:15:13Z

Thailand has protested to the Australian government over the airing of a documentary critical of the Thai royal family and warned that the broadcast could affect ties between the nations.

A senior representative from the Thai embassy met with officials from Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs on Thu...

Prince William salutes 'courageous' Australia fire survivors

2010-04-16T07:27:46Z

Britain's Prince William Thursday paid tribute to the courageous survivors of horrific firestorms that killed 173 people last year as embodying the "spirit of Australia".

William, 27, used his only official speech Down Under to salute the thousands who survived February's "Black Saturday" wildfires, after an emotional day touring the fire-wasted region.

Prince William visits fire-hit Australian towns

2010-04-16T07:27:46Z

Britain's Prince William reflected Thursday on the "terrifying" force of the wildfires that devastated southeastern Australia last year during a tour of towns hit by the blazes.

William, 27, flew to the southern city of Melbourne where he spoke to people about last February's so-called Black Saturday fires...

Prince William meets Australia fire victims

2010-04-16T07:28:23Z

Prince William on Thursday met survivors of horrific firestorms that killed 173 people in rural Australia last year, during an emotional tour of flattened towns.

William, 27, took a particular interest in February's so-called Black Saturday wildfires and had requested that a tour of the worst-hit areas and meeting survivors form a key part of his visit Dow...

Prince William meets Australian wildfire survivors

2010-04-16T07:30:36Z

Prince William meets survivors of deadly Australia wildfires on final day of unofficial visit

A somber Prince William met Thursday with emotional survivors of last year's deadly wildfires in southern Australia, doling out comforting words and occasional kisses to those who turned up to greet him.

The 27-year-old prince's trip to Vic...

Prince William eyes Sydney real estate

2010-06-16T11:25:40Z

Britain's visiting Prince William said Wednesday he was so thrilled by his warm welcome to Sydney that he'd like to buy a house in the Australian harbourside city.

William, 27, told guests at a traditional Australian waterfront barbecue in his honour that he had enjoyed "the most...

Prince William says he gets a bad rap for music

2010-04-16T07:30:45Z

Britain's Prince William took a self-deprecating dig at his musical tastes during a visit to a youth rehab centre in Australia Wednesday, saying it often made him the butt of jokes.

The 27-year-old prince made the remarks following a rap jam session at the centre in eastern Sydney, which h...

Tribal welcome as Prince William goes Down Under

2010-04-16T07:32:08Z

Britain's Prince William was on Tuesday welcomed to Australia by an Aboriginal elder daubed in body paint and bearing smouldering gum leaves, on his first visit since he came here as a baby 27 years ago.

Up to 2,000 cheering fans in a poor inner-city Aboriginal neighbourhood in Sydney gree...

Prince William given Aboriginal welcome to Australia

2010-04-16T07:32:20Z

Britain's Prince William was Tuesday welcomed to Australia by an Aboriginal elder daubed in body paint and bearing smouldering gum leaves, on his first visit since he came here as a baby 27 years ago.

Up to 2,000 cheering fans in a poor inner-city Aboriginal neighbourhood in Sydney greeted...

Prince William in Australia for second-ever visit

2010-04-16T07:32:32Z

Prince William on Tuesday began his first visit as an adult to Australia, kicking off a tour that will take in a poor inner-city Aboriginal community and towns devastated by deadly wildfires.

The prince last visited the country as a nine-month-old baby with his parents Prince Charles and the late ...

Prince William proves star power in New Zealand

2010-04-16T07:33:56Z

Britain's Prince William was draped in a Maori feather cloak and greeted with a traditional warrior challenge on Monday during his first official trip overseas to represent his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.

On the second day of his trip to New Zealand, the second-in-line to the thro...

Prince William to visit New Zealand, Australia

2010-04-16T09:28:38Z

Britain's Prince William will visit New Zealand early next year for his first official overseas trip, then travel to Australia as he steps up his royal duties, the countries' leaders said Monday.

Prince William, second in line to the British throne, will be in

Britain's Prince William to visit Australia, NZealand

2010-04-16T09:28:43Z

Britain's Prince William will embark on his first official tour of the Commonwealth in January, visiting Australia and New Zealand to "get to know" the people, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said Monday.

Prince William, second in line to the British throne,...

Advance Australia Fair

2010-10-22T09:04:57Z

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Australia accused of trading principles for African UN support

2010-04-16T16:09:57Z

Australia's opposition accused the government Monday of being prepared to trade its principles for African support of its bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who has proclaimed a mission to take a more activist "middle power" role in world af...

Thailand pardons jailed Australian writer

2010-04-16T14:12:47Z

=(File Picture)=

An Australian writer jailed for insulting the Thai royal family flew home to a tearful reunion with his family on Saturday after being pardoned by the king and freed from jail.

Feeling "bewildered, dazed and nauseous", Harry Nicolaides touched down in the city of Melbourne Saturday after spending five months in a

Ex-detective: UK Queen just dodged '70 train crash

2010-04-16T15:07:38Z

Retired Australian detective: Queen Elizabeth II narrowly escaped 1970 attempt to derail train

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II narrowly escaped disaster in 1970 when a large wooden log was placed on a railroad track in an apparent attempt to derail her train as she traveled across Australia, ...

Queen Mother's cost-conscious letter to her dressmaker

2010-10-16T19:40:43Z

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Australia Flooding

2011-01-06T07:00:29Z

In this Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2011 photo, an island is formed by flood water stranding vehicles and other equipment in Rockhampton, Australia. Floods that have cut air, rail and road links to an Australian coastal city are now threatening its sewage plant, and waters are still expected to rise another few feet before peaking Wednesday. (AP Photo/Janie Barrett, Pool)

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Australia Tennis Hopman Cup

2011-01-04T06:30:53Z

Serbian Novak Djokovic plays a backhand during his match against Kazakhstan's Andrey Golubev on day two of the Hopman Cup team tennis tournament in Perth, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Steve Wake)

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Hopman Cup

2011-01-03T11:30:50Z

FILE - In a Jan. 5, 2010 file photo, John Isner of the United States plays against Australia's Lleyton Hewitt during their men's singles match at the Hopman Cup tennis tournament in Perth, Australia. Isner defeated Harpo Productions Inc., shows talk-show host Oprah Winfrey holding an 18-month-old koala named Elvis at the Hamilton Island Wildlife Park in Whitsundays, ...

Australia England Ashes Cricket

2010-12-18T09:31:43Z

England's Kevin Pietersen dives for the ball on the third day of the third Ashes cricket test against Australia in Perth, Australia, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010. (AP Photo/Steve Wake)

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