October 23rd 2024.
The iconic Sydney Opera House was buzzing with excitement as thousands of eager individuals gathered in the hopes of catching a glimpse of King Charles and Queen Camilla at their final public appearance. The queues snaked around the harbour as people from all walks of life made their way into the city, with parents rushing to pick up their kids from school and workers clocking off early to witness what many considered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
One such person was Zach Schwermer, who had just come from a tattoo appointment and risked damaging his new ink in the sun just to be a part of this historic moment. "It's not every day that a new king is crowned and the first queen in decades visits our shores," he remarked. "I couldn't miss the chance to see them in person instead of just on TV."
Jenny and Pam Vandervelden, on the other hand, admitted that they were not particularly fond of the royals, but still made the journey from the Blue Mountains to see them for the first time. "We saw it as a great opportunity," Pam explained. "The weather is beautiful and who knows when they'll come back again?"
Of course, not everyone was there to catch a glimpse of the royals. A woman, who preferred to remain anonymous, was among the few who came to protest their presence. "He's not a democratically-elected leader and we don't need a monarchy in our country," she shared. "But I understand that people are attached to tradition and what their parents are used to. We're here to stand in solidarity with the indigenous Gadigal people and all other First Nations communities."
As the scheduled arrival time of the royals drew nearer, the anticipation among the crowd was palpable. Police were on high alert, a sniper was positioned and ready, and journalists were on standby. The protesters also made their presence known with signs displaying their disdain for the monarchy. It was a waiting game for everyone.
But then, the sound of royal music filled the air and helicopters flew in closer, signaling the imminent arrival of the King and Queen. Cheers and excited chatter erupted as the couple stepped out of the Opera House and waved to their adoring fans who had braved the scorching sun for hours just for this moment.
"I was so surprised! I was on my dad's shoulders when they walked out and it was such an amazing experience," exclaimed young schoolgirl Annabelle McGrath. Her grandmother, Audrey, who had traveled from England, also shared her excitement at finally seeing the royals in person.
For Catherine Brown and Michelle Robb, this was not their first encounter with royalty. Both women had met the late Queen Elizabeth II when they were young. "I even got to shake her hand on my birthday," Robb recalled with a smile. "She was lovely and treated us like her own grandchildren. I will never forget that moment."
As Charles and Camilla boarded the naval boat Admiral Hudson for a fleet review, they were treated to a delightful surprise performance by school children. This concluded their first visit to Australia as King and Queen, which had been met with some protest activity, including a vocal outburst by Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe at Parliament House. Regardless of one's personal feelings towards the royals, it was clear that they knew how to draw a crowd.
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