Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
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.
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.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla are attending the Sunday Church Service at St Thomas’ in North Sydney as they begin their #RoyalVisitAustralia.
https://t.co/jphkXJ8JYipic.twitter.com/rnDqeubxT1
— The Royal Watcher (@saadsalman719) October 19, 2024
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.