Minute from Frederick H. Boland to Leo T. McCauley (Dublin)
(305/25)

I mentioned to the Taoiseach yesterday the new Canadian move towards a change in the official title of King George VI. I suggested to him that our official attitude towards any change in King George's title should be based on the two principles:-

1.  that, in view of constitutional changes, the word 'Ireland' is now quite inappropriately included in the title and should be dropped; but that
2.  once the word 'Ireland' is dropped, the new title is primarily a matter for settlement and agreement between the countries who acknowledge George VI as their King.

The Taoiseach agreed with this definition of our policy.

We must keep a very close eye indeed on this matter with the idea of taking action at the earliest possible moment to register our point of view and secure our primary objective - the elimination of the word 'Ireland'. I am inclined to think that the sooner we act the better. It might be a good thing to send a note at once to the representatives at London, Ottawa and Canberra telling them what our official attitude is and asking them - not to take any official steps - but to use such opportunities as occur in casual conversation to promote acceptance of the reasonableness of our point of view as set out above.

Perhaps you would pass the file to the Legal Advisor for any observations he has to make at this stage. He might then pass the file to Miss Murphy for preparation of the minute to London, Ottawa and Canberra.