Gold Coast Commonwealth Games: Prince Charles officially invited to our city’s Games in 2018

PRINCE Charles got a sneaky kiss the last time he enjoyed Australia’s beaches. Now he’s expected to get much more after being officially invited to visit the Gold Coast.

Prince Charles kissed by Jane Priest.

PRINCE Charles enjoyed a cheeky kiss the last time he enjoyed Australia’s beaches, now the next king is set to fall in love with the Gold Coast’s beaches.

The heir to the throne has been invited to attend the 2018 Commonwealth Games by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, and GOLDOC boss Peter Beattie who has vowed to roll out the red carpet for the royal.

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales has been officially invited to visit the Gold Coast and attend the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Both Mr Beattie and Ms Palaszczuk, as well as Games chief executive Mark Peters spoke privately with the Prince of Wales last week while attending a Commonwealth Day reception at Marlborough House on the Mall in central London.

Queen Elizabeth II speaking with Louise Martin, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation and Peter Beattie. Mr Beattie says he’s keen to get both the Queen and Prince Charles to visit

Queen Elizabeth II has also formally been invited to open the Games at Metricon Stadium, with her attendance to be determined in early October, around six months before the opening ceremony.

Mr Beattie, who returned to Australia yesterday, said Prince Charles was receptive to the Premier’s official invitation.

“Mark (Peters) and I met with Prince Charles and talked to him about the Games and told him we would be delighted to have him come,” Mr Beattie said.

The Gold Coast could have up to six members of the royal family in attendance for the Games.

“He is the heir to the throne and if both the Queen and the Prince of Wales came it would certainly give the royals as signature presence.

“The Prince said he was interested and expressed a clear understanding of the Games and their importance to the Commonwealth itself.”

If both the Queen and Prince Charles visit for the Games, the Gold Coast will play host to at least six senior members of the Royal Family, with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Camillia, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex all likely to attend.

Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (R) and his wife Britain's Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

Mr Beattie said he was hopeful the Queen would attend the event and open the Games after meeting Her Majesty in London.

“She asked us how the preparations were going and was keenly interested,” he said.

“We remain hopeful the Queen will come because she was incredibly warm to us.”

The last royal visit to the Gold Coast was 54 years ago when the Queen spent a day in the city.

In 1979 Prince Charles got a taste of Australia’s beaches during that year’s royal tour when model Jane Priest snuck a kiss at Perth’s North Cottlesloe beach.

The famous image of Prince Charles being kissed by model Jane Priest on a Perth beach, North Cottlesloe in 1979.

The kiss generated plenty of coverage around the world.

Tourism and city leaders area already thinking of possible accommodation and attractions for the Prince to visit if he decides to attend.

Among the likely accommodation venues the Prince is likely to stay at, according to industry sources are Palazzo Versace or as one of the first guests at Jupiters Hotel and Casino’s new tower which will open just prior to the Games.

Gold Coast Tourism chairman Paul Donovan said the city had a wide range of experiences that Prince Charles would enjoy and that he could enjoy both our famous attractions and hidden gems.

“We obviously have the beaches and the Hinterland but there is an abundance of quality things to do here,” he said.

Gold Coast Tourism Chairman Paul Donovan. Picture by Scott Fletcher

“The Prince is known for his love of nature so we could take him on some of the Hinterland’s best walks as well as Tamborine Mountain.

“Having the Prince come here would give the Gold Coast unbelievably good global exposure on top of the Games.”

Things for Prince Charles to do on the Gold Coast

• Walk on the beach
• Go indoor skydiving
• Take a vigorous hike through the Hinterland’s nature trails
• Zorbing at Pimpama
• Tour Tamborine Mountain
• Stay at the Crown Plaza
• Sail on the Broadwater
• Buy furniture from Southport’s King Living
• Picnic at Natural Arch
• Play minigolf at King Tutt’s Putt Putt