Despite a soggy start to their first visit to Australia as monarchs, King Charles and Queen Camilla have been warmly welcomed as they stepped onto Australian soil for their highly anticipated royal tour.
Descending from a RAAF jet, King Charles was greeted by his Australian representative, Governor-General Sam Mostyn as well as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns.
After touching down, the royal couple were escorted to their temporary harbourside residence where they are expected to catch up on some rest following their long journey.
After settling in, official duties begin on Sunday with a church service and a visit from Governor-General Sam Mostyn and NSW Governor Margaret Beazley.
On Monday, the royal couple will travel to Canberra to lay a wreath at the Australian War Memorial, honouring Australia’s fallen soldiers, followed by an official welcome at Parliament House.
The royals will also meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, plant a tree, and tour the botanic gardens.
Throughout their tour, the King and Queen will make several public appearances, including at the For Our Country memorial and the Opera House, offering the Australian public a chance to see the royal couple up close.
Charles and Camilla will also visit the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Redfern and attend a community barbecue in Parramatta, before embarking on a review of the Royal Australian Navy fleet.
The King and Queen depart Australia on Wednesday morning for Samoa, where they will open the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Associate Professor Cindy McCreery, a British monarchy historian in the Discipline of History from the University of Sydney spoke on the significance of this royal tour.
“This royal visit is significant for several reasons,” McCreery began.
“First and foremost, it marks the first global tour by the new sovereign. This is King Charles’s first visit to Australia since his accession to the throne in September 2022. In fact, it’s only his second overseas trip as king, the first being to France for the D-Day ceremonies during the European summer in June.
“So this is a momentous occasion, not just for Australia, but also for the king, who is following in the huge footsteps of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. Although this is Charles’s 17th visit to Australia, it is his first visit as monarch, and naturally, he will want it to be a success.”
-with AAP.