THE republic is dead, and long live the Queen.

Her majesty left Australia yesterday and maybe the suggestion that it was her last visit is what prompted so many people to turn out to see her.

In high esteem … the Queen meets some of the tens of thousands of well-wishers at the Big Aussie Barbecue in Perth yesterday morning before her departure from Australia. Credit:Mogens Johansen

For years, the accepted political wisdom has been there will be no new concerted push for a republic until Queen Elizabeth is no longer the monarch.

People hold her in high esteem regardless of their republican sentiments and it would just be plain rude, the argument goes.