Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard shares her memories of the Queen

Julia Gillard fondly recalls her meeting with Queen Elizabeth II in 2011.

On the day of the late Royal’s funeral, the former Australian Prime Minister told The Project that she understood the gravity of the visit.

“At the time, we all knew it would be the last time she was in Australia,” said the 60-year-old politician.

“I mean, it was never said, but of course it was assumed this would be her last visit. And she came because we were hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth.

“She took the opportunity to visit all of Australia, realizing that this would be the last time she would personally say hello and goodbye to the people of Australia.”

Gillard continued, “I still remember how well she was received. How big was the crowd. I remember her quiet diplomacy in and around the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and I remember her sense of fun.

“At the time, we all knew it would be the last time she was in Australia,” said the 60-year-old politician. Pictured with the Queen during her visit to Australia in 2011

“She took the opportunity to visit all of Australia knowing that this would be the last time she would personally say goodbye and farewell to the people of Australia,” the former prime minister said.

“We were doing things like a formal cocktail party in the Great Hall in Parliament House, and when the toast to the Queen came I joked with her that she should take a sip of her champagne and she was very like, ‘Oh no “You never drink when it’s a toast to yourself.”

“I’m like, ‘That’s a life lesson I didn’t know.’ All this I happily sipping away when people make a toast. She was very nice.’

The Queen was the only reigning British monarch to ever visit Australia, starting in 1954 when she was only 27.

Queen Elizabeth II made 16 trips to Australia from February 1954 to October 2011, when Australia’s first female Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, hosted a reception for her at Parliament House in Canberra, sparking controversy during that visit when she refused to pay a curfew. to make. Pictured at Fairbairn . Air Base

Queen Elizabeth II made 16 trips to Australia from February 1954 to October 2011.

On that latest tour, Australia’s first female Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, hosted a reception for her at Parliament House in Canberra and caused controversy when she refused to make a curtsy.

Gillard was one of six Prime Ministers born during the Queen’s reign, including fellow Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

The Queen was the only reigning British monarch to ever visit Australia, making 16 tours from 1954 (visiting Sydney) when she was only 27 – during a reign that has coincided with the birth of six Prime Ministers

The Queen’s reign included the terms of 16 Australian Prime Ministers, starting with Sir Robert Menzies, Australia’s longest serving Prime Minister.

Her affection for the Australian people was strengthened a year after her coronation when she set foot at Farm Cove in Sydney on February 3, 1954.

With her husband Prince Philip by her side, she toured every capital city except Darwin and 40 rural towns for two months while their son Prince Charles and daughter Princess Anne stayed in England.

Former Labor Prime Minister Bob Hawke (left) received the Queen in May 1988, Australia’s bicentennial, when she opened the new Australian Parliament Building. Hawke campaigned for a republic 11 years later

An estimated 75 percent of the Australian population – just 8.8 million people 68 years ago – were found to see her.

On Monday, the Queen passed through Buckingham Palace for the last time, followed by her grieving family as her coffin was carried from Westminster Abbey and through London after her state funeral.

Her Majesty will be buried in Windsor next to her beloved husband Prince Philip and her parents.

On Monday, the Queen passed through Buckingham Palace for the last time, followed by her grieving family as her coffin was carried from Westminster Abbey and through London after her state funeral.