How Prince Charles and Camilla could spend their Gold Coast visit for Commonwealth Games
THE Gold Coast will roll out the red carpet for Prince Charles’ first visit to the city since 1979. Here’s what the Prince of Wales and wife Camilla are expected to get up to on their royal tour.
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ONE has so much to offer a royal couple when it comes to fun in the sun on the Gold Coast.
The Gold Coast will roll out the red carpet for Prince Charles’s first visit to the city since 1979 when he and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, attend the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April.
The heir apparent to the British throne, Prince Charles — or for those who prefer his formal title, His Royal Highness Prince Charles Philip Arthur George, Prince of Wales, KG, KT, GCB, OM, AK, QSO, PC, ADC, Earl of Chester, Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles and Prince and Great Steward of Scotland — and his second wife Camilla (aka Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall, GCVO, CSM, PC, or, when in Scotland, the Duchess of Rothesay and when in Chester, The Countess of Chester) will visit the Gold Coast and Brisbane from April 4-6.
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The future King and his wife are set to represent The Queen at the opening of the XXI Commonwealth Games on the Coast.
Camilla will head back to the UK on April 7 while Prince Charles, who is first in line for the throne, will continue his tour of Australia to Queensland and the Northern Territory until April 10.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the visits came as Queensland arrived at a “remarkable chapter” in its history.
HOW THE GOLD COAST GOT PRINCE CHARLES FOR GAMES
“I know Their Royal Highnesses will enjoy the Games and all of the splendid natural beauty and warm hospitality our state has to offer,” she said.
Their Royal Highnesses last visited Queensland in 2012, travelling to Longreach to attend the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and the QANTAS Founders Museum, while joining hundreds of locals at a community barbecue to mark The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Ms Palaszczuk said she expected Queenslanders would embrace the opportunity to greet the royal couple this visit.
WHEN QUEEN ELIZABETH II VISITED THE GOLD COAST
“I know the people of Queensland share a great affection for The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall and I look forward to welcoming Their Royal Highnesses back to our state,” she said.
“Together with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and Clarence House, my department is working on details of the visit which will be released in due course.”
The tour will mark Charles’s 16th visit down under and seventh visit to Queensland and Camilla’s third Australian visit and second visit to Queensland.
Charles and Camilla last toured Australia in November 2015, visiting Adelaide, Canberra, Sydney, Albany and Perth.
News of the royal visit comes after there was uncertainty as to whether Camilla would join her husband, the Prince of Wales, after she was left off the initial press release last year.
It was reported in British media at the time that the Duchess has a fear of flying.
The Prince is taking on a higher profile following the retirement of his father Prince Philip, 96, and the reduced schedule of his mother Queen Elizabeth, 91.
THINGS TO KEEP ONE ROYALLY AMUSED ON THE GOLD COAST
BACK TO NATURE
From common folk to A-list celebs, one and all agree a trip to the Coast must include a day in our beautiful Hinterland. Our nature loving royals would be in their element walking through the World Heritage-listed Springbrook National Park or visiting Natural Bridge and the Glow Worm Cave.
ROMANTIC ESCAPE
Married in a civil ceremony on April 9 2005, Charles and Camilla won’t be together on their 13th wedding anniversary — she returns to the UK on April 7 while Charles stays on until April 10. Which means an early celebration on the Coast is in order. Our organic-loving alternative medicine advocates would revel in a romantic night away at the award-winning Eco Tourism certified Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat in Tally Valley.
DINNER FOR TWO
Dining hotspot Level 19 at The Darling, The Star Gold Coast’s new six-star tower, will open in time for the royals to book a table for two overlooking beautiful Broadbeach.
TICKETS TO A SHOW
Charles, the president or patron of more than 20 performing arts organisations, and Camilla share a ribald sense of humour (and a high tolerance for politically incorrect slips of the tongue), so they’re bound to enjoy a fangtastic night out on the town at the saucy Dracula’s Comedy Cabaret Restaurant.
FAMOUS FOR FUN
You’re never too old to push yourself to your limits — which is why Charles, 69, and Camilla, 70, should ride the DC Rivals HyperCoaster at Movie World. If the heir apparent and his consort can handle that, they can surely handle anything.
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