Royal Style and Titles Act 1973
No. 114 of 1973
An Act relating to the Royal Style and Titles
Royal Style and Titles Act 1973
No. 114 of 1973
An Act relating to the Royal Style and Titles
[Reserved for Her Majesty’s pleasure, 14 September 1973]
[Queen’s Assent, 19 October 1973]
[Queen’s Assent proclaimed, 19 October 1973]
WHEREAS, in accordance with the Royal Style and Titles Act 1953, Her Majesty, by Proclamation dated 28th May, 1953, adopted, as the Royal Style and Titles to be used in relation to the Commonwealth of Australia and its Territories, the Style and Titles set forth in the Schedule to that Act:
AND WHEREAS the Government of Australia considers it desirable to propose to Her Majesty a change in the form of the Royal Style and Titles to be used in relation to Australia and its Territories:
AND WHEREAS the proposed new Style and Titles, being the Style and Titles set forth in the Schedule to this Act, retains the common element referred to in the preamble to the Royal Style and Titles Act 1953:
BE IT THEREFORE enacted by the Queen, the Senate and the House of Representatives of Australia, as follows:
1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the Royal Style and Titles Act 1973.
2 Assent to adoption of new Royal Style and Titles in relation to Australia
(1) The assent of the Parliament is hereby given to the adoption by Her Majesty, for use in relation to Australia and its Territories, in lieu of the Style and Titles set forth in the Schedule to the Royal Style and Titles Act 1953, of the Style and Titles set forth in the Schedule to this Act, and to the issue for that purpose by Her Majesty of Her Royal Proclamation under such seal as Her Majesty by Warrant appoints.
(2) The Proclamation referred to in sub-section (1) shall be published in the Gazette and shall have effect on the date upon which it is so published.
Schedule—Royal Style and Titles
Section 2
Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God Queen of Australia and Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth.
Overview
The Royal Style and Titles Act 1973 was enacted to address the need for updating the Royal Style and Titles to be used in relation to Australia and its territories, following the changes that occurred in the monarchy. This Act was passed by the Queen, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of Australia. It provides the formal approval for a new set of Royal Style and Titles, which would replace the ones set forth in the Royal Style and Titles Act 1953. The new Style and Titles are detailed in the Schedule to this Act and are to be adopted by Her Majesty through a Royal Proclamation, which will take effect upon publication in the Gazette. This legislative update ensures that the Royal Style and Titles remain consistent with the evolving nature of the monarchy and its relationship with Australia.
Scope and Application
The Royal Style and Titles Act 1973 applies to the entire Commonwealth of Australia and its territories, encompassing the formal designation and usage of the royal style and titles of the reigning monarch in relation to Australia. This Act specifically grants parliamentary assent for the adoption of new royal style and titles for Her Majesty, replacing the previous style and titles outlined in the Royal Style and Titles Act 1953. The new titles set forth in the Schedule to this Act are intended to be used in all official capacities within Australia and its territories. The Act's jurisdiction is comprehensive, covering all governmental and public uses of the royal style and titles within the Commonwealth. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds within the Act itself, though the specific application and enforcement of these titles may be subject to further legislative or administrative detail. The Act does not explicitly extend or restrict its application through subordinate instruments but provides the foundational legal framework for the formal adoption and use of the new royal titles.
Key Provisions
The Royal Style and Titles Act 1973 (Section 1) is a concise piece of legislation that provides for the adoption of a new Royal Style and Titles for use in relation to Australia and its territories. This Act gives effect to the change in the Royal Style and Titles set forth in the Schedule, replacing those established under the Royal Style and Titles Act 1953. Section 2 of the Act grants the Parliament's assent for the adoption of these new titles and mandates that a Royal Proclamation be issued by Her Majesty under a seal appointed by Her Majesty by Warrant. This proclamation, once published in the Gazette, will take effect on the date of publication, formalising the new Royal Style and Titles.
The obligations imposed by this Act primarily concern the process of adopting and publishing the new Royal Style and Titles. The key requirement, as outlined in Section 2(1), is for Her Majesty to issue a Royal Proclamation adopting the new titles specified in the Schedule. This proclamation must then be published in the Gazette, as stated in Section 2(2). The Parliament's assent, granted in this Act, is a formal acknowledgment and approval of the new titles, ensuring they are legally recognised for use in Australia and its territories.
The Act does not explicitly outline specific offences or penalties for non-compliance with its provisions, as its primary function is declarative rather than regulatory. However, any breach of the formalities required for the adoption and publication of the Royal Proclamation could potentially have legal ramifications. Given the ceremonial nature of the Act, any failure to adhere to the prescribed process might be viewed as a significant oversight, although specific legal consequences are not detailed within the text of the Act itself.