King Charles and Queen Camilla will soon start their last day of public engagements in Sydney.
Members of the public will have one last chance to get up close to Their Majesties.
At 4:20pm on Tuesday, King Charles and Queen Camilla will greet members of the public at Opera House forecourt.
The entry point to the Sydney Opera House precinct will be open to the public from 3:00pm.
King Charles and Queen Camilla visit Canberra
During a busy day in Canberra, the King and Queen learned to always expect the unexpected while Down Under.
Several unexpected things on their day trip to the nation’s capital city on October 21, including the King Charles being sneezed on by an Alpaca and an Australian politician causing a scene that saw her removed from a parliamentary reception.
The royals kicked things off at Defence Establishment Fairbairn in Canberra on Monday morning.
Charles and Camilla were greeted by Ngunnawal Elder Aunty Serena Williams.
The royal couple then headed to the Australian War Memorial where they were greeted with loud cheers from several hundred onlookers.
During a poignant moment, they laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier before a rendition of the Last Post played.
During a public meet and greet, the King and Queen spent more than 30 minutes talking to the gathered crowd.
Among those on hand to welcome their Majesties was 94-year-old Evelyn Botha who as a school girl presented a bouquet of roses to Princess Margaret – the King’s aunt – during a visit to her homeland of Scotland.
Also waiting in the crowd was Hephner, a very well-dressed alpaca who donned his own gold crown.
Normally well behaved, the 9-year-old is well known in the Canberra community for his charity work, bit on this occasion, he sneezed straight into the King’s face.
“Bless you,” Charles replied before revealing an elephant had once done the same thing.
Afterward, the King and Queen headed to Australia’s Parliament, where a an indigenous politician accusing the royals of “committing genocide”.
“You are not my King,” independent senator for Victoria Lidia Thorpe shouted after Charles and Camilla took to the stage in front of politicians and digitatories.
“Give us our land back,” she continued as she was removed.
The King and Queen, again met with members of the public outside as well as undertaking several other engagements, including the Queen sitting in on a round table discussion on domestic violence while the King met with volunteer firefighters at the CSIRO bushfire behaviour research laboratory.
King Charles and Queen Camilla shock crowds on first day of engagements in Sydney
King Charles and Queen Camilla delighted the crowds in Sydney as the couple carried out their first day of engagements in the city.
The royals were greeted by hundreds of well-wishers as they exited St Thomas’ Anglican Church in North Sydney on October 20 after attending the Sunday service.
“Hip hip hooray!” the crowd broke into a cheer as the couple began to shake hands and speak with members of the public, with a backdrop of ‘God Save the King’ in the background which one woman played on her flute.
Royal watchers started lining up from 5am to nab the best spot in hopes of meeting one of the royals.
However, in a surprise move, the royal couple split up to greet the crowds that wrapped around the church’s property from one side each before swapping to do it all again.
Many in the front rows were shocked to find themselves having close encounters with both royals.
“It’s always so lovely coming back [to Australia]” the King told WHO’s Kylie Walters who was on site.
“Sometimes I wish it wasn’t such a long way,” the 75-year-old monarch added with a laugh.
The Queen donned a pale green coat dress from Anna Valentine and a straw hat on the sunny day which showed no signs of the storms the couple have flown in to upon their arrival at Sydney’s International Airport in Mascot two days before.
In a humorous moment as the Queen had many hands thrust her way she joked to the crowd, “I’ve got two hands,” before shaking with both.
Ahead of the public meet and greet, the royals had joined the 400 strong congregation and invited special guests, including Australia’s Governor-General Samantha Mostyn and the Governor of New South Wales Margaret Beazley for a Sunday Service.
Bishop Christopher Edwards delivered a prayer, asking for the protection of the King and Queen, along with a hope the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa would be prosperous.
He also asked for world peace and an end to wars.
The royals also met with children from the local Sunday School and signed the visitors book.
A small number of anti-monarchist protestors had also gathered approximately 100 metres away from the church.
King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive in Australia
The couple shared a touching moment with an young Australian cancer survivor while at the airport.
A bouquet of flowers was presented to the Queen by Ky and his sister Charlotte.
Ky, 12, requested to meet Their Majesties through the Make-a-Wish Foundation, an organisation which helps make the dreams of children with critical illnesses come true.
Charlotte acted as a bone marrow donor for her brother while he was being treated for cancer.
The King, 75, and Queen, 77, arrived at Sydney International Airport just after 8.30pm AEDST on October 18.
They were welcomed by dignitaries including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Governor-General Sam Mostyn and NSW Premier Chris Minns.
Unfortunately, the weather failed to co-operate for this first historic visit for Charles to Australia as King.
Heavy downpours had threatened to delay their Royal Australian Airforce plane from landing.
The royals boarded a commercial aircraft in London which they departed in Singapore, before switching to their RAAF flight.
In the hours ahead of their arrival, the royal couple posted a message on social media sharing how much they were looking forward to the visit.
“Ahead of our first visit to Australia as King and Queen, we are really looking forward to returning to this beautiful country to celebrate the extraordinarily rich cultures and communities that make it so special. See you there!”
Camilla was wearing the Wattle Brooch that was gifted to the late Queen Elizabeth II during her 1954 visit to Australia.
To celebrate their arrival, the sails of Sydney Opera House were illuminated with a montage of images from Charles and Camilla’s previous visits to Australia.
Their first engagement is scheduled for Sunday, allowing the monarch a day to rest following his long flight while he continues to undergo treatment for cancer.
Where can I meet King Charles and Queen Camilla in Australia?
On October 19, the Australian government revealed that Sydneysiders would have an additional opportunity to get up close with Their Majesties.
The public may see Charles and Camilla following their attendance at a church service at St Thomas’ Anglican Church on Sunday, October 20. .
There will be two opportunities to get up close with the monarchs in Canberra.
On Monday, October 21, people can try their luck to meet the King and Queen at 12:35pm as they make their way to the For Our Country memorial at the Australian War Memorial.
There will also be an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the pair from 1pm as they arrive to Parliament House for a Ceremonial Welcome.
Their Majesties will then meet some members of the public at Parliament House forecourt at 2.10pm.
The next day the King and Queen will be in Sydney.
At 4:20pm on Tuesday, October 22, King Charles and Queen Camilla will greet members of the public at Opera House forecourt.
Why is King Charles in Australia?
King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in Australia on the evening of October 18.
The trip will be a short one as the sovereign continues to be treated for an undisclosed form of cancer he was diagnosed with at the start of the year.
The visit will conclude on October 23 when the King and Queen will head off to Samoa to open the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
“The Royal Visit is an opportunity to showcase the best of Australia – our rich culture, our sense of community, and contributions to science, research and global progress,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said ahead of the visit.
“His Majesty first visited Australia in 1966, and has a strong personal affection for our nation. We are delighted that His Majesty is recovering well and has made visiting Australia once again a priority.”
Where is King Charles visiting in Australia?
Their Majesties will undertake a number of engagements in Canberra and Sydney.
On the agenda while in the ACT is paying their respects by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial.
The King and Queen will also visit the Australian National Botanic Gardens, where they will meet with staff and volunteers to discuss the global impacts of climate change, a cause that Charles has long been at the forefront of.
While in Sydney, the royal couple will conduct a Fleet Review of the Royal Australian Navy, and attend a community BBQ celebrating Australia’s cultural diversity and showcasing quality produce from across New South Wales.
Making the most of their time, the pair split up in order to make several visits that are in line with their individual interests.
The King will learn about the ground-breaking cancer research led by Australians of the Year, Professor Georgina Long AO and Professor Richard Scolyer AO. He will also meet Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives and groups to learn about their work in supporting local community and strengthening culture.
The Queen will visit a library and meet children participating in a Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition workshop.
Has King Charles ever visited Australia?
The October 2024 visit will be the first since Charles became King following his ascension to the throne upon the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, on September 8, 2022.
However, he is no stranger to our shores and his been here on 15 official visits in the past.
Charles and Camilla last visited as the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall in 2018 where he opened the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
The King also attended the prestigious Geelong Grammar School for a term in 1966.
Charles also visited with the late Princess Diana in 1983, which also happened to be the first royal tour a baby Prince William went on.
It was reported in 2020 that William and wife, Princess Catherine, were also headed to our shores but this trip was delayed by the pandemic and Kate’s cancer diagnosis.
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