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Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip - Source: Reuters -
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Monarchists are condemning what they say is a slur on Prince Charles, in leaked notes from a speech Michael Cullen plans to make this week.
The comments appear in this morning's Herald on Sunday.
The paper said Cullen will call Prince Charles "strange", and describes the Duke of Edinburgh as "insensitive and prejudiced."
He said Britain is less relevant to young New Zealanders, and the Royals' preference for male heirs is inconsistent with New Zealand values.
Cullen said the Queen should be allowed to live out her time as Queen of New Zealand because of her sense of duty, but we should be planning what to do when she dies.
Monarchy New Zealand spokesman Simon O'Connor said the remarks are very harsh on the Royal family and focus on personality rather than the constitutional structure.
He said there isn't anyone in the world who doesn't have some aspects that could be deemed strange.
O'Connor said the monarchy has provided a stable democratic structure in New Zealand.
The Republican Movement said it welcomes Cullen's comments and and his "well thought-through" approach to the issue.
Chairman Lewis Holden the movement supports Cullen's view that it would be wise for New Zealand to move in a slow and considered way, keeping the changes to a minimum and preserving the parts of our parliamentary system that work well.
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