October 20th 2024.
On his first visit to Australia as King, Charles expressed his excitement and joy at returning to the country where he had spent six months attending school as a teenager in 1966. Accompanied by his wife, Queen Camilla, they embarked on a six-day tour to celebrate the people, culture, and heritage of Australia.
Their first stop was at the Parliament of New South Wales, where the King gifted a beautiful hourglass, handcrafted by the Goldsmith's Centre in London, to the assembly. With a touch of humor, the King joked that the hourglass would serve as a "speech timer" for the politicians. The hourglass was displayed on a cedar base, made from wood sourced from the King's Highgrove home.
In a heartfelt speech, the King expressed his delight at visiting Australia as Sovereign and renewing his love for the country and its people. The royal couple was greeted by hundreds of supporters as they arrived at St Thomas' Anglican Church in North Sydney. The Archbishop of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel, and children from the church's Sunday school welcomed them with Australian flags.
During their visit to the church, the Queen was presented with a bouquet by the minister's wife, Ellie Mantle. She also inquired about their jet lag from the long flight, to which Camilla replied with a smile, "Sort of." The King and Queen then signed two bibles, including one that belonged to Australia's first minister and chaplain of the First Fleet.
However, not all Australian politicians were able to meet with the royal couple during their visit. While they will be meeting with the Prime Minister and attending a reception in Canberra, the Premiers from Australia's six states had prior commitments and could not attend. This visit also takes place amidst growing republican sentiment in Australia and calls for reparations to the indigenous Aboriginal people.
During their visit to the church, a group of anti-monarchists and supporters of First Nations resistance held a banner with the words "Decolonise." They urged the King to support reparations for the indigenous Aboriginal people and begin the process of decolonization. The Archbishop of Sydney, who officiated the service, shared that the church had a family connection with the King as his great grandfather had laid the cornerstone as a teenage boy.
Despite the political backdrop, the royal couple was warmly welcomed and thrilled to be able to join in worship at the local church. As they continue their tour, the King and Queen will undoubtedly continue to celebrate the rich history and vibrant culture of Australia and its people.
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