Aussies speak to King about his cancer in Royal pair’s first public appearance of tour

Aussies have had a chance to meet the king and queen in their first public appearance of the royal tour, revealing to news.com.au what they had to say.

King Charles has spoken to royal fans in Sydney about his cancer treatment in his first public appearance of the royal couple’s five-day tour of Australia.

Charles and Camilla attended a church service at St Thomas Anglican Church on Sunday morning at North Sydney as hundreds of fans waited in hopes of catching a glimpse of the couple.

After the service, the royal pair made an unexpected stop to greet fans waiting on the street.

Royalist Mary-Anne Spring said the monarch made the stop after a boy “yelled out” asking him to come over to the group.

Ms Spring revealed to news.com.au that she spoke to the King about his health.

“I welcomed them to Sydney and I wished the King all the very best in his cancer treatment. He said thank you very much I really appreciate it,” she said.

“I think it’s good to support them and the work they do.”

Wellwishers wait outside the church during Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla's visit to St. Thomas's Anglican Church. Picture: Reuters

Epping man Malcolm Lemirae managed to gift the Queen a bunch of red roses.

“They accepted the flowers and Camilla asked if I grew them and I said I grew them in my garden,” he told news.com.au.

“I think she was thrilled about that. It’s just a little symbol of my gratitude for them coming out. The guys got cancer. To come out here and do that trip, it’s a long, long trip.”

King Charles III meets members of the public on a walkabout following an event to celebrate the Bicentenary of the New South Wales Legislative Council. Picture: Getty

Cremorne woman Julianne McCartney, who is originally from the UK, also had her own moment with the King.

“He told me he really appreciated the crowd. He noticed my British accent and asked if I was from the UK, I said I had met his mother before and I think he thought that was quite nice actually.”

A sign is displayed as people wait to greet Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Picture: AFP

Hornsby mum Heidi and her three boys Alfred, Oliver and Charles waited out for hours to get a glimpse at the couple.
The boys were dressed in their school uniforms from the King’s School in Parramatta.

“We are a bit of a Royalist household,” Heidi said.

“We don’t get many opportunities to see the monarch in Australia so it was the perfect opportunity to bring everyone down.”

Charles said the Royals were “really cool”.

“It is a big deal that they’re over here, it’s very exciting.”

However, the scenes turned sour when the Royals left, with pro-Palestinian protesters who had set up in the area clashing with royalists as they left the venue.

“Get lost,” one of the royalists yelled at the protesters.

“200,000 dead, shame,” one of the pro-Palenstine protesters bit back. Police on the scene quickly directed both groups to keep moving.

Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla have kicked off their tour of Australia. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

The protesters had set up at both ends of the church, chanting slogans such as “go home” and “Charlie, Charlie you can’t hide” throughout the proceedings alongside a banner which read “Empire built on genocide. Not our king.”

Later today, the King will attend an official reception for the Bicentenary of the Legislative Council before meeting the Governer-General at Admirality House.

An intimate Sunday morning service

King Charles III and Queen Camilla were greeted by warm weather as they made their first public appearance in Australia.

Upon arrival, the royal couple were greeted by crowds that wrapped all around the church.

As Charles and Camilla made their way to the front of church door, children waved Australian flags and cheered.

The queen, wearing a pale green Anna Valentine dress and straw hat, was given flowers by the church minister’s wife, Ellie Mantle, as she proceeded into the church.

A little girl greeted the royals with a curtsy. Picture: NewsWire / Rohan Kelly

The service was officiated by the Archbishop of Sydney Kanishka Raffel. Picture: NewsWire / Rohan Kelly

Once inside, the royal couple were bathed in sunlight that poured through the door and stained glass windows.

Dozens of phones pointed in their direction, while excited whispers echoed through the room.

Despite the important guests, Sunday’s service was restricted to the local congregation, with only a few special guests allowed to attend, such as Australia’s Governor-General and the Governor of New South Wales Margaret Beazley.

Their Majesties greeted well wishers outside the church. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

Bishop Christopher Edwards delivered a prayer, asking for the protection of the king and queen, along with a hope the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa would be prosperous.

He also asked for world peace and an end to wars.

The service also featured hymns, prayers and several readings from the Old and New Testaments (Isaiah 52:13-53:12 and Acts 8:26-40).

Charles and Camilla are on a six-day royal visit to Sydney and Canberra. Picture: Saeed Khan/AFP

Finally, the church’s minister Michael Mantle thanked the king and queen for their attendance and said it was an honour to host them.

Sunday’s service was filled with history.

Upon arrival at the church, Charles passed by the corner stone of the church that was unveiled in 1881 by his great-grandfather King George V.

Charles and Camilla also signed two bibles in black pen, including one that belonged to Australia’s first minister, Richard Johnson, who was also the Chaplin on the first fleet.

– with AFP