JAN HUGO: We picked up the cup, the plate, the spoon, the snow globe, the music box etcetera and then over time we had christenings and weddings and birthdays, and it just grew.
Sometimes I put them away and then can’t remember where I’ve put them.
TOM HARTLEY, REPORTER: This is not a museum, or a gift shop. This is Jan Hugo’s house – home to a fervid obsession; a homage to princes, princesses; kings and queens – past, present and future.
Even the toilet’s received a royal treatment, if you fancy sitting on a throne.
JAN HUGO: It probably takes up half of the house, I’m banned from putting it through the bedrooms.
I have to keep some spare rooms for the grandchildren when they come otherwise there’d be nowhere for them to sleep.
From 1981, Diana and Charles’ engagement.
TOM HARTLEY: It started with this commemorative coin and ended, well, it still hasn’t ended.
JAN HUGO: I wasn’t smart enough to start and catalogue it back 43 years ago. You know, when you’ve got two, three, ten pieces, no one ever thought it would get to 10,000 plus. It’s a bit late.
TOM HARTLEY: Pieces pertaining to Queen Elizabeth’s reign hold a special place in her heart.
JAN HUGO: I think in the cupboard somewhere there’s actually a plate that commemorated when she did open the Opera House, so that’s a special one.
NEWS REPORTER (October 20, 1973): The Queen looking charming in powder blue, a powder blue silk dress and a matching hat…
TOM HARTLEY: Those who attended the Sydney Opera House opening half a century ago would surely remember two things:
Those howling north westerly winds and the Queen’s praise of her citizens’ loyalty.
QUEEN ELIZABETH (October 20, 1973): Thank you for your generous welcome to us and for your assurances of the loyalty and affection of the people of New South Wales.
CHRIS SHIP, TV NEWS ROYAL EDITOR: That building over there is iconic, people know it the world over and my understanding is that when the King arrives here, they’re going to light up that building with images of the King’s various visits and of course, he’s been here many times before but coming to Australia for the first time as monarch is yes, a really big deal and of course, it’s a long way to come.
TOM HARTLEY: His Majesty first came to Australia to attended school at Geelong Grammar before returning as Prince of Wales on 15 official visits, over five decades.
The 11-day tour commencing tomorrow will be his first as Australia’s King, and Head of State.
CHRIS SHIP: It’s going to be a big deal. He’s speaking in Canberra, he’s meeting politicians. He’s at the Opera House, he’s going to have a review of the fleet – they’ve packed a lot in to his schedule here, but it is a lot shorter.
You look at different opinion polls, some people say I actually quite like the link to the motherland, other people think there should be an Australian who’s the Australian head of state.
PRINCE CHARLES: When Captain Cook discovered this part of the great south land and claimed it for the British crown, he was sailing in quest of knowledge.
ESTHER ANATOLITIS, AUSTRALIAN REPLUBLIC MOVEMENT: It just doesn’t make any sense in this day and age in Australia, to have any roles in our democratic life where the person in the role has inherited it by birthright.
TOM HARTLEY: Citing their own research the Republic Movement claims 40 per cent of Australians don’t realise King Charles is our Head of State and 60 per cent want the role to be held by an Australian.
ESTHER ANATOLITIS: It really is time for us to see the final tour of a sitting Australian monarch as we all look forward to the future Australian republic.
ADVERTISEMENT: Monarchy – the farewell Oz tour.
ESTHER ANATOLITIS: We thought this was a great way of reframing in a positive and light-hearted way, the conversation about Australia’s future.
First of all, why does Australia still have a monarchy? Secondly, Australian democracy is not a show.
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TOM HARTLEY: It certainly hasn’t impressed the traditionalists.
ALEXANDER VOLTZ, AUSTRALIAN MONARCHISTS LEAGUE: I think it’s a juvenile effort, and it also plays the Australian people for fools.
I mean, the idea that some mock concert poster, the Farewell Royal Tour, or whatever it is that they’re up to, could be a convincing and erudite argument for constitutional change is frankly, ridiculous. Australians aren’t that silly.
TOM HARTLEY: Composer Alexander Voltz is among a cohort of Australians defending the status quo.
ALEXANDER VOLTZ: They make a big song and dance about, now’s the time, now’s the time. But that’s becoming a very monotonous chant.
They’ve been going on about that for several decades.
TOM HARTLEY: The Republican movement formed in 1991 touring cross-country.
MALCOLM TURNBULL: A republic will not impede on the reportage of the royals.
TOM HARTLEY: They took Australia to a referendum in 1999 – which failed.
WOMAN: We are thrilled that the No case has won a resounding victory.
TOM HARTLEY: And today, opinion polls continue producing varied views.
NewsCorp’s ‘Pulse of Australia’ found fewer people (33 per cent) support becoming a republic and just under half (45 per cent) thought Australia should remain a constitutional monarchy.
ESTHER ANATOLITIS: We need to make sure that the apex of that is not something that reinforces some notion of elitism or privilege but is thoroughly democratic and thoroughly Australian.
TOM HARTLEY: The Republicans’ wishes were detailed in a letter, sent to the King last year.
And just this week, the Palace’s reply was leaked.
CHRIS SHIP: The key bit here is “whether Australia becomes a republic is therefore a matter for the Australian people to decide.”
In a way it’s very clever in the way it’s been so polite in here. “Their majesties have a deep love for Australia and the Australian people and your thoughtfulness in writing, as you did, is warmly appreciated…”
It kind of takes the sting out of the tail, it’s going to be a debate when he comes here and to have it in black and white to say “Look we will respect whatever decision is made” but it doesn’t look like there’s a referendum on the horizon anytime soon.
TOM HARTLEY: But the contentions will surely continue as the King’s tour commences, with confirmation all state premiers turned down an invitation to a royal function in Canberra for various reasons.
After the Australian leg, the King and Queen will travel to Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, before heading home.
CHRIS SHIP: We can’t predict the future we don’t know how many times he’ll be able to come back.
JAN HUGO: I do hope they put their faces from this visit on a tea towel, we need to round up some souvenirs from this trip.
TOM HARTLEY: Jan Hugo couldn’t care less about the debate.
JAN HUGO: Doesn’t matter, I won’t stop, while ever there’s a Royal alive, I won’t stop.
