Ghosts of the past for King Charles and Queen Camilla as they sign Bible on Australia tour previously inked by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, as well as the monarch and Diana back in 1983
King Charles and Queen Camilla experienced a haunting reminder of the past when they signed Australia’s first Bible on the second day of their tour.
The royal couple are on a six-day tour of Australia, their first since the king took the throne, and as part of their duties they were asked to sign the country’s first Bible and Book of Common Prayer.
Each member of the royal family has signed the Bible, which belonged to the Rev. Richard Johnson, Australia’s first Christian minister, on previous royal visits.
The late Queen Elizabeth signed it in 1954 during the first visit of a reigning monarch to these shores, with the archbishop saying the Bible “represents an important history of this church and nation.”
Using his own fountain pen, the king signed the Bible on a page under the signature of the late Princess of Wales from their 1983 visit.
The king alluded to his inevitable jet lag as he signed, joking: “What day is it again?” and grinning.
Each member of the royal family has signed the Bible, which belonged to the Rev. Richard Johnson, Australia’s first Christian minister, on previous royal visits
King Charles signs a copy of the Bible as Queen Camilla looks on during a visit to St. Thomas’ Anglican Church
The signatures of King Charles III and Queen Camilla are on display along with other British royals, including Queen Elizabeth II, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and Diana, the Princess of Wales
Queen Camilla signs a Bible and a book of communal prayer when she visits church
The church presented the royal visitors with gifts including a rugby ball, cricket ball and toy koala to take home for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Later, the king undertook his first major ceremonial duty – and an impromptu royal walk – when he visited the New South Wales Legislative Council to mark its bicentenary.
As he stepped out to loud cheers from the hundreds gathered on the lawn opposite the church, the king waved before walking over to speak to the crowd.
Some well-wishers said they queued as early as 5am to get a prime spot to see the couple, while others in the crowd were mainly from other parts of Australia.
Charles told one person, “It’s a beautiful day,” while several others shouted, “We love you.”
Speaking afterwards, the Archbishop said: ‘It was a great pleasure and privilege to have Their Majesties with us here at St Thomas’, North Sydney.
“This church has a family connection to His Majesty because his great-grandfather laid the cornerstone as a teenager.”
He added: “It was wonderful for this local church to welcome the Sovereign King Charles and Queen Camilla to worship with us today. We are absolutely thrilled.
‘There was a great feeling.
‘People are very happy to see them and they were received very generously and warmly.
“And Their Majesties were also very generous in greeting many people shortly after their jet lag.”
Charles greets the crowd outside after attending a Sunday church service at St. Thomas’ Anglican Church
Queen Camila thanks a well-wisher for offering her flowers outside St Thomas’ Anglican Church
King Charles and Queen Camila wave to the crowds who have gathered to welcome their arrival in Sydney (pictured)
A girl wearing a tiara and princess dress waves to the king as he passes the crowd on his way to church
King Charles III and Queen Camilla greet the crowds during a visit to St. Thomas’s Anglican Church
The King and Queen greet young well-wishers as they enter St. Thomas Church
When then-Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales landed in Australia in 1983, they were met with a barrage of anti-royal sentiment.
The Daily Mail reported at the time that Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke did not even bow to the couple, while his wife Hazel did.
Anti-royal Hawke initially dismissed their visit as not the “most important” thing he would do in his first few months as the country’s new leader, historian Robert Lacey said in his book Battle Of Brothers.
However, by the end of the trip they had captured the hearts of many Australians.
King Charles and Queen Camilla received a warm welcome today on their first full day of engagement in Australia.
When the royal duo arrived at St Thomas’ Anglican Church in North Sydney in the morning, they were greeted with loud cheers from hundreds of well-wishers who waved Australian flags, brought bouquets of flowers and toy koalas.