King Charles and Queen Camilla are making waves in Australia! Their recent visit, kicking off on 20 October 2024, marks their first trip to the country in almost a decade, and it’s Charles’ 16th official visit overall. Notably, this trip comes after a challenging health diagnosis earlier in the year.
Welcomed with Open Arms
Landing in Sydney, the royal couple attended a lovely service at St Thomas’ Anglican Church, where they were greeted by excited residents and the Archbishop of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel. Children from the church’s Sunday school waved Aussie flags, bringing smiles all around. Camilla, dressed in a pale green dress, even received a bouquet from the minister’s wife! Talk about a warm Aussie welcome!
Bridging the Past and Present
During their time in Sydney, Charles highlighted the importance of democracy by addressing lawmakers at the New South Wales parliament, celebrating its 200th anniversary. He cheekily gifted an hourglass to the lawmakers – a gentle nudge to keep their speeches concise!
Remembering Heroes
Following their Sydney engagement, the royals headed to Canberra, where they placed a floral tribute at the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier. Many Australians gathered in the sun to catch a glimpse of the couple, showing their respect and admiration. Some, like Georgia Bray, even mentioned switching loyalties for the day, saying, “I’m a republican but today I’m a monarchist… Australians are polite after all!”
A Passion for the Environment
Charles, known for his environmental advocacy, visited the National Bushfire Behaviour Research Laboratory in Canberra. There, he learned about fire management techniques, specifically the ‘pyroton’, a wind tunnel that replicates the conditions of Australia’s deadly bushfires.
What’s Next?
After their six-day tour of Australia, Charles and Camilla will continue on to Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. This trip is anticipated to have a significant focus on climate change initiatives, with Charles previously announcing a donation for skills programmes in small island states.
As they traverse Australia, we can’t help but feel the excitement around royal visits – it might just be the royal charm we all need!