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'Silly' Knights And Dames Titles Should Be Scrapped From Honours System, Republic Says

Follow Australia And Scrap Knights And Dames, Anti-Monarchist Group Urges
Aubrey Allegretti
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NEWBURY, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 17: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Queen Elizabeth II watches her horse 'Capel Path' run in the Dubai Duty Free Full of Surprises Handicap Stakes during the Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials Meeting at Newbury Racecourse on April 17, 2015 in Newbury, England. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
Max Mumby/Indigo via Getty Images

Anti-monarchist group Republic has urged the Government to follow Australia's example and scrap knights and dames from its honours system.

The Queen has agreed to a recommendation to remove the titles of knights and dames from the Order of Australia, Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has said.

The Duke of Edinburgh is now one of the last people to be awarded a knighthood by the country.

Turnbull, a republican who replaced Tony Abbott as prime minister in September, said Australia's cabinet had agreed "knights and dames are not appropriate in our modern honours system".

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Graham Smith, spokesman for campaign group Republic, argued that the UK honours system was also in need of major reform.

"In any country these titles are silly, completely at odds with modern democratic values and wide open to abuse by the political classes," Smith said.

"In the UK the honours system is little more than a way for political leaders to thank their friends, allies and donors.

"It is shameful that David Cameron has brought back political knighthoods, rewarding colleagues for support or handing them out as compensation for being sacked.

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David Cameron was criticised by the group for 'political knighthoods'

"We need full-scale reform of Britain's honours system - no more imperial honours, no more medieval titles. We need a simple, honest and credible way for the nation to honour those who deserve recognition."

The announcement on Australia Day in January that the Duke was to receive a knighthood was widely criticised at the time, with some suggesting it sounded like a joke.

Philip will retain his title which is one in a long list of accolades he has been awarded over the years.

He is already a Knight of the Order of the Elephant in Denmark, a Royal Chief of the Order of Logohu in Papua New Guinea, and a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion - among many other honours.

Abbott said at the time the award was for a long life of duty and service, citing his Duke of Edinburgh award scheme as having helped thousands of young people in Australia for more than 50 years.

But members of the public said giving a member of Britain's royal family the country's highest honour had created a "time warp".

Australia previously scrapped the honorary titles in 1986 but they were reinstated by Abbott last year.

Heir to the throne the Prince of Wales, a future king of Australia, is about to embark on a tour of Australia and New Zealand with the Duchess of Cornwall.

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