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Speaking as an Australian with a fair knowledge of how our Constitutional law (including those aspects from the British Constitution that still apply) works, and with, I think, a clear view of how most Australians think, let me say that in my view this article (and others like it) is looking at the wrong things - at least with regards to Australia.

Australia almost became a Republic in 1999. A Referendum was held and was narrowly defeated.

The reason the vote was so close was because there were two conflicting issues in operation.

The first is a symbolic issue, the second is a matter of constitutional stability.

I believe the evidence is clear that the majority of Australians believe on symbolic grounds that it is time for Australia to become a republic.

However - and this is critically important, the majority of Australians are also totally unwilling to sacrifice our nations stability for a purely symbolic change.

The 1999 Referendum failed because while most people support the idea of a Republic in principle, for various reasons they did not agree with the model of Republic proposed to replace our current Constitutional monarchy.

We have had a stable government in this country since Federation in 1901. Our worst consitutional crisis (the Dismissal in 1975) was resolved democratically and peacefully largely because our constitutional monarchy means that in the final analysis, critical decisions can be made by a non-politician - somebody who doesn't base their decisions on what is in it for them, or for a particular ideology.

It's not a coincidence, but a deliberate feature of the system, that most modern Governors-General have been retired Generals or Admirals or Judges - people who have served this country in one field or another for many years in a non-political capacity.

Back to my point - if Camilla becomes Queen of Australia, that may well increase the number of Australians who disagree with the monarchy on symbolic grounds.

But I very much doubt it will increase the number of Australians who would vote for a republic on those grounds.

Australia will become a republic when a model is proposed at referendum that, in the judgement of the Australian people, will give us at least the same level of stability as we have enjoyed for 104 years.

Until that happens, I really don't see much likelihood for change.

Myself, I am a Monarchist. I went to school (briefly) with the Prince of Wales, and know him slightly. I know the Duke of York quite well actually. I have met the Duke of Edinburgh - and frankly I admire all three men. I was raised in a tradition of service to the Crown and this stage of my life, I cannot see that changing.

But even so, because I love my country, if a model was proposed to change our system of government that I felt would make the country more stable and stronger, I would vote for it.

Camilla will affect the symbol. But the symbol and the substance are different things, and I think many articles I have seen over recent days are blurring the distinction.