So Prince William becomes a Knight of the Garter, John Howard doesn’t.
PRINCE William, not John Howard, will receive one of Britain’s highest and oldest honours tonight - being made a Royal Knight of the Garter.
There has been feverish speculation since the beginning of the year that former prime minister Mr Howard was the Queen’s personal pick for the honour.
But Buckingham Palace today put the kybosh on that, announcing that Prince William would be joining other members of his family as a Royal Knight of the Garter, the British Press Association reported.
For “feverish speculation”, read silly beatups in News Ltd papers, which they’re now trying to justify by implying there was something in it in the first place. Still, I’d love to know where the story originated. I’m thinking Janette Howard. But that’s just feverish speculation.
Remind me again please, cos I’ve obviously missed it, what was the outstanding achievement that little Willy accomplished that deserved receiving “one of Britain’s highest and oldest honours”?
Getting one of these gongs isn’t something that can be a self fulfilling prophecy, no matter how much the Murdoch papers predict it.
I’d like to think that Howard was nominated (even if there aren’t “official” nominations”) but the Queen thought to herself, “F*ck him. There’s no way I’m giving that little c*nt a knighthood. Who does he think he is, Robert Menzies?”
But that’s feverish speculation.
Ratty can always hang out for the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Perhaps a special one can be struck — a brass star with “Deputy” embossed on it.
Another laughable Liberal beat-up bites the dust!
Dee Cee,
I doubt this was a Liberal beat up. Howard would be very well aware that any attempt to push for honours will have only one result - a denial of that honour.
My guess is that the Murdoch press had a slow news day a while back.
Why would the little bugger automatically get a knighthood? Just being PM is no guarantee. Besides which, who’d want one if the requirements are borrowing helicopters to fly to bucks nights and nooners?
He’ll no doubt get an AC in the Queen’s Birthday honours, which will be bad enough.
Thank god for that, lets keep honours for people who deserve them, as Howard does not.
‘Willy’ gets one as he is second in line to the throne, the Sovereign and the Prince of Wales are the heads of the Order, and one say William will be PoW.
Lord Daniel,
Do you know something we don’t? Which country will the Empire be at war with when King-to-be- Billy becomes a POW?
As for Ratty’s desire to be a pale imitation of Pig-Iron Bob - what else would one expect? No more orgasms for Janet, I s’pose.
I think he means “one day William will be PoW (Prince of Wales).”
Yeah, I know. I was being deliberately obtuse. Thanks, anyway, Andrew.
Sorry, been arguing with a certain party on another blog. I forget some are capable of understanding.
A Knight of the Garter is usually someone from the royal family isn’t it. Prince Harry should get one if he brother does! I think it is just a rumor about John Howard. Prime Ministers don’t usually get one do they.
Surely Downer earnt a Knight of the Garter award much more than Johnny did. He even has the pictures to prove it.
Where did the story originate?
Don’t know. Don’t care.
There are two spots available for Knights of the Garter which have both been filled by people other than JH. Prince William, being a member of the Royal Family is additional to their number. Presumably Harry will join in due course.
From the SMH
In earlier reports it was said that JWH lost his chance for a gong because the two Garter vacancies left by the deaths of Sir Edmund Hillary and some other wally went to Lords Luce and Dunne. It appears the story was changed to soften the blow for proud Australians everywhere and the honours have been said to have gone to Will instead. What would the future king want with two knighthoods?
Mr Howard, x-PM,
Sought a royal em-b-lem.
A Knighthood, Sir, of the Garter,
But H.R.H. thought it smarter
To favour Lordships, Luce and Dunne,
Rather than Her Australian son.
But lack of K.C.M.N.O.G.
Can’t deny his legacy.
A history rich in many letters,
More than he got from his betters,
With alphabetic simplicity,
That faithfully tracks his stewardry.
John Winston Howard, W.M.D.
(Shared with President George W.B.)
A.W.A., A.W.B.,
(Could he have missed a W.C.? )
And last, not least, in which truth was set,
A G.S.T., which we, should never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever forget.
The exdplanation’s very simple.
1. Ratty didn’t deserve a gong.
2. Betty’s really smart. She was well aware half of Oz, well 70% of Oz, if the truth be told, didn’t think he deserved a gong, so she wouldn’t have given it to him anyway.
and
3. Janet probably pissed her off.