Editorial: A nice chap, but ...

OPINION: Prince William is undoubtedly a very nice chap – "bloke" doesn't seem like the right word for him – a fine representative for his grandmother, a charming ambassador for the United Kingdom and an ideal pin-up boy for the Commonwealth.

His visit to New Zealand, his first official call on behalf of the Queen, was a considerable success and helped to confirm what some royal watchers have been suggesting for years, that it would probably be very good for the monarchy if the succession to the throne could be passed directly to him, leap-frogging the king-in-waiting, Prince Charles.

However, there is something very last-century about a royal visit by a handsome prince. With no fault to William, who conducted himself admirably throughout his stay – even when struck in "the family jewels" by a rugby ball flung by a cheeky 12-year-old – it is anachronistic for the nation's leaders and many of its citizens to offer fawning hospitality to a young man whose eminence arises solely from his bloodline. The visit wasn't entirely a waste of time, though. It helped to refocus thinking on the idea of a New Zealand republic.

- © Fairfax NZ News