September 10th 2024.
The royal couple of King Charles and Queen Camilla have announced their plans to visit Australia for six days in October. It will be a jam-packed trip with numerous engagements scheduled in both Sydney and Canberra. This will mark his majesty's first visit to Australia since becoming king, and the first time a reigning monarch has set foot on Australian soil since Queen Elizabeth's trip in 2011.
The trip, scheduled from October 18 to 23, will include an official welcome from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. However, the couple's schedule may be subject to change depending on the king's health. As he continues to receive treatment for cancer, there is a possibility that some engagements may be modified on doctor's orders.
Prime Minister Albanese expressed his excitement for the royal couple's visit, stating, "Australians can't wait to welcome the King and Queen back to our country in October. We look forward to highlighting the best of the Australian spirit during their visit."
The royal couple's last trip to Australia was in April 2018, when they attended the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast. During this trip, they also toured Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Their upcoming visit will begin with engagements in Sydney on October 20 and 22, followed by a visit to Canberra on the 21st. In Sydney, the couple will attend a community barbecue in Western Sydney, showcasing produce from across New South Wales. They will also conduct a fleet review of the Royal Australian Navy in Sydney Harbour.
In addition to joint engagements, the king and queen will also have separate solo engagements. King Charles will learn about groundbreaking melanoma research from Australians of the Year Professor Georgina Long AO and Professor Richard Scolyer AO. He will also meet with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives to learn about their work in supporting local communities and preserving culture.
Meanwhile, Queen Camilla will continue her focus on literacy and visit a library, where she will meet with children participating in a Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition workshop.
In Canberra, the royal couple will be welcomed to Parliament House by the prime minister. They will also pay their respects at the Australian War Memorial and visit the Australian National Botanic Gardens. A reception will be held for political and community leaders, as well as Australians who have excelled in fields such as health, arts, culture, and sports.
The king and queen will also have separate engagements in Canberra. King Charles will meet with CSIRO scientists to discuss their research on bushfire impacts in Australia. Queen Camilla will take part in a forum on domestic violence, a cause she is passionate about and also champions in the UK.
Prime Minister Albanese shared, "His Majesty has a strong personal connection to Australia, having first visited in 1966. We are thrilled that he is recovering well and has made visiting our country a priority once again. This royal visit is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the best of Australia – from our rich culture to our sense of community and contributions to science and research."
This official trip to Australia will be Queen Camilla's fourth visit and King Charles' 16th. After their stay in Australia, the royal couple will head to Samoa for the end of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which concludes on October 25.
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