King Charles III and Queen Camilla in Canberra

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are on their Tour of Australia this week. After arriving and spending two days in Sydney, the King and Queen arrived in Canberra on October 21st. The visit to Australia is the King and Queen’s first visit to a Realm as Sovereign, which will be followed by the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa later this week.

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla were received by Ngunnawal Elder, Aunty Serena Williams, and school children from 22 schools across the Australian Capital Territory as they arrived in Canberra, being formally received in an Indigenous Smoking Ceremony.

King Charles placed a wreath and Queen Camilla a floral tribute before they stood for the Last Post and then a minutes silence at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, later signing the visitors book and meeting the crowds.

Upon arrival at Parliament House in Canberra, King Charles inspected members of the Australian Defence Force before the King and Queen were received by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for a Welcome Ceremony, where the King gave a speech.

Queen Camilla wore the Queen Mother’s Courtauld Thomson Scallop-Shell Brooch.

In the afternoon, King Charles and Queen Camilla planted two Snow Gum trees on the grounds of Government House and visited the Australian National Botanic Gardens to learn more about Australian flora, particularly the impact of climate change on Australian ecosystems. Guided by an Indigenous National Park Ranger from Booderee National Park in Jervis Bay, the King and Queen toured the rainforest gully, which showcases plants from the diverse rainforests from Tasmania to Queensland.

The King visited the CSIRO National Bushfire Research Laboratory, meeting scientists and members of the ACT Rural Fire Service to learn more about the centre’s work to help manage bushfires and keep firefighters safe while Queen Camilla visited GIVIT, an organisation that facilitates the donation of essential items and services to people experiencing hardship, at Australian National Botanic Gardens.

Queen Camilla also attended a discussion on family and domestic violence at Government House in Canberra.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla attended a community BBQ in Sydney hosted by the Premier of New South Wale. The cultural diversity of modern Australia was on display with a variety of food stalls and performances.

King Charles visited the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence, being welcomed in a traditional ceremony by Gadigal members of the Eora Nation, and then meeting with a range of community representatives, including the Gamay Rangers and Elders from across the Sydney region. Queen Camilla spent time at OzHarvest helping with the lunch service and meeting patrons.

Thousands of Australians gathered in front of the Sydney Opera House to meet King Charles III and Queen Camilla after a fleet review of Royal Australian Navy ships and a flypast by the the Royal Australian Air Force over the Sydney harbour.

Australian Wattle Brooch

Royal Visits to Australia

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are attending the Sunday Church Service at St Thomas' in North Sydney as they begin their #RoyalVisitAustralia.

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla attended the Sunday Church Service at St Thomas’ in North Sydney before greeting crowds. The Church was opened by the future King George V and Prince Albert Victor in 1881, and has often been visited by the Royal Family during their Royal Visits to Australia.

The King then visited the New South Wales Parliament, to attend a reception to recognise the Bicentenary of the Legislative Council. The New South Wales Parliament was opened by the late Queen in 1954.

“What a great joy it is to come to Australia for the first time as Sovereign, and to renew a love of this country and its people which I have cherished for so long.”

Later, the King met the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Sam Mostyn, and the Governor of New South Wales, Margaret Beazley, at Admiralty House.

Australian Wattle Brooch

Royal Visits to Australia

King Charles III and Queen Camilla began their Tour of Australia this week, arriving at Sydney on the evening of October 18th.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla were greeted by the Governor-General of Australia, the Prime Minister, the Governor of New South Wales, and the New South Wales Premier on arrival in Sydney.

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King Charles and Queen Camilla had an Audience with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his fiancée, Jodie Haydon, at Admiralty House in Sydney, where they will stay for the duration of their visit to New South Wales.

Queen Camilla wore the late Queen’s magnificent Australian Wattle Brooch upon arrival in Sydney. The Australian Wattle Brooch was a symbolic gift during the Queen’s first Tour of Australia 70 years ago.