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Cheque please! It’s time to pay the bill for Charles and Camilla’s visit downunder

They sipped wine and shook hands, brandished knives and provided bottoms for patting, but now the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall have left Australia, jetting out from Perth last night.

As we wave them off with one hand, the other reaches quietly for the bill.

The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet conforms that Australian taxpayers will be paying for the royals’ latest tour, as is consistent with past visits, and that it will amount to roughly half a million dollars.

Is this a waste of taxpayers’ money? Well, it depends upon which side of the fence you are sitting.

Proponents of royal tours say the international coverage Australia receives throughout leads to a boost for the tourism industry, hence the multiple vineyards included in the royal itinerary.

But half a million dollars for a five-day tour that covered Adelaide, the Barossa Valley, Canberra, Sydney, Perth and Albany, is a considerable price to pay for a bit of subliminal advertising.

We’d love to know what our Prime Minister thinks, considering he is an open supporter of a Republic and once accused Prince Charles of “unashamed adultery”.

At least we have the memories, right? Like the little girl who gave the Duchess a sweet posy of flowers then demanded them back.

And who could forget the time Camilla held a knife to her husband’s throat?

Here are some of our other favourite moments:

Tell us, do you think royal visits are worthwhile? Have you ever seen a member of the Royal Family up close and personal? Share your memories!

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