With talk of republicanism renewed in Australia, King Charles and Queen Camilla feared the worst as they landed in Sydney in rain and darkness.
But they were soon buoyed by the sight of the crowds turning out in droves to cheer and catch a glimpse of them leaving the airport late on Friday evening.
Charles is said to have been ‘tickled’ by the sight of a lady in her dressing gown, who ‘waved wonderfully’ after running out of her house to see his car passing by on the 20-minute journey into town.
‘She was apparently just getting ready for bed but heard the convoy sirens and was super excited, so she ran outside. It definitely excited everyone,” said a source.
The relief at the lavish public reception was evident in the beaming smiles on the couple’s faces as they arrived to stay at Admiralty House at the start of a six-day visit.
King Charles and Queen Camilla feared the worst when they landed in Sydney in rain and darkness, but were buoyed by the warm welcome they received
Welcome to Sydney: King Charles III and Queen Camilla greeted by Sam Mostyn, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia
King Charles III and Queen Camilla were greeted by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his partner Mrs Jodie Haydon
An image of King Charles and Queen Camilla is projected onto the Sydney Opera House as they arrive for a visit to the country
Images from throughout Charles’ life were beamed to the iconic Sydney building
It will take a long time for it to rain on us! Camilla holds an umbrella as the heavens opened as the couple landed
The tour is Charles’ first since joining in September 2022 – and being diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer in February this year.
Admiralty House, where they will stay during their visit, is the official residence of the Governor General, the King’s highest representative in Australia, who has appointed Charles to the honorary rank of Admiral of the Royal Australian Navy Fleet, Field Marshal of the Royal Australian Navy. Australian Army and Marshal of the Royal Australian Air Force.
The house offers stunning views over the city and the King and Queen couldn’t resist shaking off their jet lag and marveling at the scenery, with the photo taken under a portico upon returning from a short walk.
Camilla, 77, wore a royal blue silk crepe dress by Fiona Clare, adorned with the lavish Australian diamond braid brooch, originally owned by the late Queen Elizabeth.
Charles, 75, looked bright-eyed as he wore a nautical tie, then enjoyed what is described as a “very cordial” cup of tea with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Charles bravely suspends his cancer treatment to travel, with the approval of his doctors.
He travels, as usual, accompanied by two doctors: one specializes in general medicine – and the other in ‘acute’ medicine, such as trauma.
That’s Professor Charles Deakin, an expert in the field of ‘pre-hospital trauma and resuscitation’.
Last year he accompanied the king to Kenya with Dr Michael Dixon, who is known for his interest in homeopathy, but this time he stayed at home.
Prof Deakin previously traveled with Charles to Jordan in 2021 and the Solomon Islands in 2019.
Charles and Camilla enjoyed a day of rest at Admiralty House on Saturday, taking an occasional stroll through the gardens when the rain let up
There are no evening services, but it is believed that the king will still make around eight appointments on some days
Yesterday Charles and Camilla enjoyed a day of rest at Admiralty House, taking the occasional stroll through the gardens when the rain let up.
There are no evening services, but the King will make eight appointments on some days.
Claims that rest periods were included every 45 minutes were rejected.
The couple will have a low-key first day of engagement in Sydney today and ‘meet the people’ – the new description given to the royal family’s traditional ‘walkabout’ so as not to risk accusations of cultural appropriation .
They will visit St Thomas’s Anglican Church in Sydney’s north in the morning, where locals are encouraged to gather on the lawn to see the royal visitors – and hopefully have a chat.
The King will then receive several audiences before the tour heads to the capital Canberra tomorrow.