In Aotearoa, we call it 111 years since Gallipoli. In Türkiye they call it the 111th anniversary of the Çanakkale Land Battles. When our Governor-General travels to countries like Türkiye on diplomatic visits she is doing all the important work of being NZ’s Head of State. Extending the diplomatic hand of friendship and co-operation with an important European partner. Bridging the gap between two proud nations.
Meanwhile in Washington DC, two other Heads of State meet. King Charles who is never once referred to as anything other than Britain’s Head of State meets with President Donald Trump. That visit is of course all about just two countries. Charles will address the US Congress as part of a visit to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence from the UK. Charles announces that “time and again our two countries have always found ways to come together”. It is clear that despite being our Head of State he is not talking about NZ (or Canada or Australia or any other of his ‘realms’).
The King’s speech will have been written for him by the UK government. He may be our Head of State on paper but when he visits other countries he is never visiting as our Head of State. Its a diplomatic sham that continues to go on because we haven’t got around to fixing it.
In the USA Trump and Charles exchange platitudes and hyperbole and make grand statements about their respective nations in an effort to patch up the obviously strained relationship. Meanwhile, our Governor-General will go about the business of representing New Zealand with the honesty and dignity we expect of our highest constitutional office.