King Charles and Queen Camilla BBQ details: Backyard cricket, sheepdogs plus who’s invited
The Sunday Telegraph has obtained exclusive new details about the highly anticipated royal visit, which will kick off next Friday after the couple fly into Sydney.
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King Charles III and Queen Camilla will have front-row seats to a game of backyard cricket and a sheepdog demonstration at an invite-only barbecue in Western Sydney.
The Sunday Telegraph has obtained exclusive new details about the highly anticipated royal visit, which will kick off on Friday after the couple fly into Sydney.
It can be revealed Premier Chris Minns will greet the couple at the airport before they are whisked away to prepare for their whirlwind six-day Australian trip.
While the public is being urged to head to Sydney Opera House on Tuesday for a glimpse of the royal pair at a special free event, volunteers and community, multicultural, political and sporting leaders have been invited to attend the private barbecue in Parramatta in the morning.
The Telegraph can reveal celebrity chef Adam Liaw has been given the job of official MC with event host Mr Minns believed to have volunteered to help show the royals how to flip the perfect snag.
And while the traditional Aussie sanger will be on offer, the royals will also be able to sample a selection of multicultural interpretations of the backyard classic at a series of food “street stalls” to be set up at the site.
As for who has snared an invite, it can be revealed some of the lucky attendees include former Panthers player Mark Geyer, ARL commission boss Peter V’landys and TV personality and environmental sustainability speaker Jo Taranto.
Other leaked names include politicians: Environment Minister Penny Sharpe, Education Minister Prue Car, Regional NSW Minister Tara Moriarty, Multiculturalism Minister Steve Kamper and local Parramatta MP Donna Davis.
Other invited guests, including Australians of the Year Professor Georgina Long and Professor Richard Scolyer, were reportedly chosen for having “excelled in their field”.
The barbecue is being billed as an event to celebrate and showcase the cultural diversity of modern Australia with a focus on Western Sydney, with cultural “activations” and performances also on the agenda.
The visit will be Charles’ 17th visit to our shores and the King’s biggest overseas trip since he began treatment for cancer in February.
Given the royal couple are unlikely to have time to visit the bush, the Parramatta event will also offer a taste of the country with a sheepdog demonstration and a showcase of produce from across NSW supported by the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW.
However, the biggest event will be at the Sydney Opera House where thousands of people are expected to gather in the hope of catching a glimpse of the King and Queen with the festivities including a Fleet Review and flyover Sydney Harbour by the Australian Defence Force.
The couple will also visit Canberra on Monday, October 21, for a reception with political and community leaders, and Australians who have excelled in the fields of health, arts, culture and sport.
Mr Minns will not be attending, as it coincides with Cabinet.
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