King Charles III and Queen Camilla to greet Aussies at Sydney Opera House as royal tour comes to an end
King Charles and Queen Camilla were welcomed by thousands during a jam-packed day of events in Sydney as they wound up their whirlwind Australian visit.
Thousands of Australians turned out to catch a glimpse of King Charles III and Queen Camilla as the royals wound up their quick royal visit at the iconic Sydney Opera House.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived at the Sydney Opera House to rapturous applause.
An estimated 10,000 people lined the streets and packed into the forecourt of one of Australia’s most famous landmarks.
Following the meet-and-greet, King Charles and Queen Camilla observed a military display around Sydney Harbour – dubbed Operation Regal by the Australian Defence Force.
Leaving the crowds of the Opera House behind, the royal couple walked toward the Man O’War steps and the Admiral Hudson, a sparkling-white 17.63m-long Kingfisher 54 cruiser, built in Brisbane.
The vessel, brandishing the royal standard for the occasion, is part of the VIP boat squadron used for official functions on Sydney Harbour.
As the couple prepared to clamber aboard, they received a stair guard of military personnel.
The guard was drawn from the 1st Regiment, Royal Australian Armoured Corps and the Royal Australian Corps of Military Police.
In addition to being king of the realm, Charles is now Field Marshal of Australia’s Army, Marshal of its Airforce and Admiral of the Fleet.
It’s the fourth fleet review in Australian history, with the last one being observed in 2013.
Acting Deputy Chief of Navy Commodore Eric Young said seeing impressive scenes on Sydney Harbour would fill the more than 1000 defence personnel with “immense pride”.
“It’s a proud day for our Navy, a proud day for our nation,” he said.
Against the iconic backdrop of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, they were greeted by dignitaries and special guests, including British actor Joanna Lumley – who is set to perform at the venue later tonight.
THOUSANDS TURN OUT TO SAY HELLO
“Hip hip hooray,” the crowd could be heard cheering as King Charles made his way down the line of eager royal fans.
Their Majesties walked separately down the path and cheers erupted from the crowd when a royal drew nearer.
“Welcome to Sydney,” members of the crowd shouted.
Thousands of people have gathered outside the iconic Sydney venue in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the royals.
The King complimented little Louie Magee-Scannell’s royal outfit when he shook hands with the infant’s grandmother, Michelle.
She told him “We love you, you’re the best” during the brief exchange which she described as “unbelievable”.
Michelle remembers meeting Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Anne during their respective visits to Australia, so she was delighted to meet the King.
Her daughter elsewhere in the crowd also managed to get a royal handshake so the family are floating on air.
The royals waved at the thousands as they slowly approached, driving past the public as they made their way to the Sydney Opera House’s entrance.
NSW Premier Chris Minns and his wife Anna Minns greeted King Charles and Queen Camilla as they exited the vehicle, graciously welcoming them to the building visited on many royal visits.
The four walked up the world-famous steps as crowds cheered from the nearby Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney.
The King turned and waved, delighting those who hadn’t gotten onto the forecourt.
As they reached the top of the steps, the royals were introduced to six waiting special guests. British actor Dame Joanna Lumley, actor Heather Mitchell, acrobat and dancer Lucia Richardson, singer Jin Tea Kim, artistic director of Bangarra Dance Theatre Francis Rings and Sydney Symphony orchestra principal bass clarinet player Alexander Morris greeted the royal couple at the top of the stairs.
“Your Majesty,” Lumley said greeting the royals first.
The greeting felt like a reunion of friends with Queen Camilla stopping to chat for some time.
Ms Morris was asked what she had played in recently, telling the King she had recently completed 12 months playing within the Sydney Opera House. The royal couple were taken to the official guest book, signing their names in black pen on an open page.
The couple were shown pages signed by other esteemed guests before continuing on.
The King, Queen, Premier and Mrs Minns walked to the western edge of the top of the Sydney Opera House, where they posed for a photo with the Harbour and Sydney Harbour Bridge behind them. The King waved towards the harbour as cheers bellowed from punters who caught a glimpse of the royals from Opera Bar on the building edge. The royals steadily made their way down the steps, not holding onto railing, with arms lifted as they waved at the cheering public.
“Welcome to Australia,” people could be heard saying.
Nina, a 54-year-old fan of the royals, waited two hours near the roundabout at Circular Quay.
“I saw (Queen Camilla’s) face and everything, and she looks more beautiful in real life,” Nina said.
“It was exciting when the entourage came in, the most exciting part for me.
“It’s something I’ll never forget.”
Lucky passengers on the cruise liner docked in Circular Quay could be seen lining up along the deck to see the royals.
Guy Sebastian’s pop music played over the speakers as the King and Queen walked slowly down the path between crowds of fans.
The King paused to shake hands and chat with a few people as he slowly walked the through the crowd.
As he neared the end, a group of schoolchildren performed a lively dance on the steps of the Sydney Opera House.
The dance involved a number of students from different schools who showed off their moves in a choreographed dance to Follow Your Dreams, written by 17-year-old Ocean Lim.
More than 100 students representative of the School Spectacular were involved in the impromptu performance.
A tourist bus waved and cheered as they drove past the Opera House, eager to set their sights on the King and Queen. Above, onlookers clinged to the fence of the Sydney Botanic Gardens trying to get a glimpse of the royals.
PROTESTERS TURNED AWAY
But as the crowd progressed to secure their spot, an enraged group of people shouted angrily that they had been waiting for hours when a few people appeared to push in via a side fence.
Eager royal fans have been massing near the iconic venue in the baking heat since 11am, more than four hours before the gates are scheduled to open.
King Charles III is expected to arrive around 4.30pm but excitement is already building for the packed crowd.
Despite the finger pointing, security guards settled the disruption quickly and everyone poured through to the forecourt.
Moments later, a member of the crowd could be heard shouting “f*** youse all”.
However the majority of the crowd appeared peaceful and excited as they finally moved forward.
A man wearing an Indigenous print shirt and carrying an Aboriginal flag was blocked from approaching the Opera House by several police officers.
“Ring a ding ding, I’m the King,” he shouted as he was ushered away.
A group of republican protesters attempted to set up shop near the crowd earlier in the day but were also shuffled on by police.
In addition to the snaking line of royal watchers which extends from the Sydney Opera House all the way to the wharf, savvy locals have lined up along the fence which overlooks the site.
Thousands of people erupted in cheers as a defence helicopter flew by the Opera House carrying a giant Australian flag.
Standing in the crowd, one royal fan said the weather was a sign that God approved of the royals.
“Forget this republican crap,” she said.
KING’S PUSH FOR SUSTAINABILITY
Following the community barbecue, His Majesty attended The King’s Foundation Reception at Admiralty House in Kirribilli, where he met Hillview Foundation Australia chair Dominic Richards and The King’s Foundation chief executive officer Mrs Kristina Murrin.
The foundation - previously known as The Princes Foundation - was created in 2018.
Addressing the event, Ms Murrin praised the Foundation’s 35-year record of “helping to build thriving, sustainable communities around the globe.”
“Taking our inspiration from nature and tradition, we currently operate over 15 countries, and aim to bring people, places and the planet together in harmony,“ she said.
“We protect heritage, assets and knowledge, promote sustainable ways of living, and put these values and approaches into practice and our sites.”
Ms Murrin said more than 15,000 students were enrolled in one of the Foundation’s programs.
Ms Murrin announced the launch of The King’s Foundation Australia, which will be a “locally run, independent charity” which will “take inspiration” from the broader Foundation.
“The new national charity will champion sustainable approaches to building communities in Australia,” she said.
“As someone who was actually born less than two miles from this very building, today is a particular pleasure for me, and I would like to thank everyone in this room who has done an enormous amount to make this possible.”
The Foundation has partnered with the NSW government and Heritage Department on the acquisition of Hillview.
The King, sporting a wide grin, then unveiled a plaque to cheers from the small crowd.
Outside Admiralty House stood about 40 people with their phones poised, eager to get a glance of The King.
Driving past, His Majesty gave a wave to onlookers, who gasped in delight.
“I saw him!” could be heard echoed through the small, shocked crowd.
FANS GATHER TO SEE THE KING
As the time for the King’s arrival neared, iconic Aussie tunes blasted out of speakers in front of the Opera House and a helicopter hovered overheard.
People wanting to catch a glimpse of the King had to pass through security checks, including full body scanners, before being allowed to gather along the King’s expected path.
Avid royal watcher Carol Dutton brought a book with her that she hoped to have signed by King Charles.
The book, entitled The Platinum Queen, is one of her most cherished possessions and was a gift from her son.
She said she has a “lightbulb moment” when she realised she might be able to get it signed by the royal family.
Welsh natives Veronica and Alex Gardner came to show their support for the King after his recent cancer diagnosis.
Veronica fondly remembers participating in the same ritual when she was seven years old and waiting to wave at Queen Elizabeth II.
“This brings back fond memories,” she said.
They have been living in Australia for 15 years and love it, but they retain their love for their homeland.
“We’re very patriotic,” they laugh.
“We just want to show we’re thinking about him and we’re very happy he’s come here.”
Alex noted the King “loves Australia”, as evidenced by his 17th visit to the country.
Both mother and daughter were impressed by the “how cosmopolitan” the crowd was and “all the different ages” who had turned up to show their support for the royals.
“It’s incredible,” they agreed.
Tudor historian Sarah Wright brought her two daughters with her to present a bouquet to the King.
Both are keen royal fans. Charlotte, 6, is delighted to share a name with the daughter of Prince William while Grace, 9, was born on the day Queen Elizabeth II became the longest reigning monarch in history.
“They have an extremely rich history with the royal family,” Ms Wright said.
She said she was motivated to bring her children to meet the King because she was so impressed with his conversation work and his efforts with the King’s Trust, which aims to help disadvantaged youth.
“We have a lot of respect for the whole royal family,” she said.
Her daughters, who are dressed is gorgeous sparkly dresses and waving Australian flags, were showing off the curtseys they have been practicing for the special occasion.
Several groups of schoolchildren have been ushered into the area where the King will be meeting fans.
A team of medical professionals is on standby in case of a medical emergency due to the higher temperatures.
THE KING’S SPEECH
The King and Queen Camilla have departed a community BBQ hosted by NSW Premier Chris Minns and his wife Mrs Minns in Sydney’s west.
School students were a highlight of the King’s time at the barbecue, with His Majesty stopping at a Greater Sydney Parklands Mandala exhibit and exclaiming “that looks nice” as the Queen showed off a nature crown on her head created by the nearby children.
The King and Queen later had a go on the tongs at the BBQ, with the King snapping the tongs, saying “they’re long aren’t they,” drawing laughter from everyone gathered.
During the Royal Agricultural Society sheepdog display, the King and Queen looked on in amusement as the sheep were herded by dogs around a scrambling media scrum trying to avoid getting in their path.
His Majesty addressed the crowd, explaining he’s been enjoying his time in Australia during the royal tour.
“Having visited Western Sydney on a number of occasions, over more than 50 years now, from Liverpool to Richmond, it is always a particular pleasure to return to the neighbourhood,” King Charles said.
“And that is why if I may say so, I’m so delighted to be here in Parramatta, an excellent choice for a community barbecue, since Parramatta was a place where First Nations people from around the region also came together for generations to meet and trade food.
“So it’s a particular delight to see and smell all the top tucker here today from Western Sydney’s vibrant and diverse community.”
“My wife and I are really glad to be back in Sydney but especially pleased to be here in Parramatta for the first time.”
While he didn’t taste any of the delicacies, His Majesty took the chance to meet with local producers at the community event.
“It’s also a great joy to renew my long association with the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales,” he said.
“Which, for more than 200 years, has carried out such outstanding work to champion the farming community, and the production of the highest quality produce.
“As we are happily rediscovering today, New South Wales farmers continue to produce truly outstanding food and wine.
“It is no wonder, I think, that Sydney is world famous for its cuisine, whether it’s smashed avo, a cab sav and that is what I hope has been on display.”
But while the King was making his speech at the “barbie”, a fumble of his notes caused him to interrupt his train of thought.
“Ever since - God almighty, they’ve got two pages of this bloody thing - anyway, I must say it’s a real pleasure to have this chance to try this produce,” he said.
“But also crucially to meet the people who make it happen.
“Working tirelessly in all seasons and all weathers and developing an intimate understanding of the importance of caring for nature and making it part and parcel of their endeavours.
“So being here in Western Sydney also gives me an opportunity to see it firsthand what I’ve heard about before, and that is that Parramatta and the region around it has become one of the most dynamic, enterprising and diverse communities in the world.
“So thank you, everyone, for coming to join us at this barbie today. And more particularly, thank you for the contribution you make to your local communities and beyond”
SERVING UP A GOOD TIME
While their majesties mingled, the DJ belted out Aussie classics, including Shannon Noll’s What About Me and Kylie Minogue’s Can’t Get You Out Of My Head.
Kept at bay behind a rope gate, schoolchildren held flowers ready to hand over to their majesties, as the hundreds strong crowd waited in anticipation for the royals to arrive.
A massive police motorcade could be seen through the gates of the event, leading the King and Queen to the entrance.
Working Class Man by Jimmy Barnes played as the royals made their entrance and greeted the community
The King sported a grey suit with a pair of sunglasses as the heat beat down on the crowd, while Queen Camilla wore a Royal Blue silk cotton dress with light embroidery by Fiona Clare paired her outfit with a pair of sunglasses to protect against the harsh Aussie sun.
The royals managed to get behind the barbecue, turning over snags from the Blackbear Barbecue, who managed to serve up thousands of sausages along with tonnes of brisket.
The King turned over vegetarian sausages, while the Queen went for the classic beef.
However, their majesties didn’t try them.
Despite this, they told Scott McCoy, who runs Blackbear Barbecue’s Blacktown restaurant, the sausages were “great”.
“I think they said they were great sausages, and they done the old ‘click click’ on the tongs … the Aussie classic,” the 42-year-old told NewsWire.
Mr McCoy said he was thrilled to meet the royals.
“It was amazing, it was everything it lived up to be, just sensational,” he said.
BONDI COP HERO HONOURED
Inspector Amy Scott will be honoured at the event after she tracked down, confronted and fatally shot Westfield Bondi Junction stabber Joel Cauchi, who killed six people and injured 12 at the popular shopping centre in mid-April.
She has been credited with saving many lives that day.
Detective Inspector Amy Scott received the Commissioner’s Valour Award following her bravery at the Bondi Junction stabbing attacks.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb will be attending the event and expressed her excitement to meet their majesties.
“It’s a privilege to be invited today among a very privileged group of people, and I look forward to meeting the King Queen,” she told NewsWire.
Ms Webb said it is “fitting” for Inspector Scott, who fatally shot Joel Cauchi at Bondi Westfield in April after he killed six people and injured 12, to be at the event.
“I haven’t seen her yet, but to have her here – obviously the events of April earlier this year were played out across the world,” Ms Webb said.
“I think it’s fitting that the King and Queen have an opportunity to meet her.”
King Charles and Queen Camilla will meet the group at a community BBQ hosted by NSW Premier Chris Minns and his wife Mrs Minns in Sydney’s west.
Their majesties are expected to gather at Parramatta Park on Tuesday afternoon, joined by NSW Deputy Premier Prue Car and her husband Brad Hulls, NSW Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty, President of the Surf Life Saving NSW Peter Agnew, and President of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW John Bennett.
Their majesties will also meet Noemie Fox, who won gold in kayak cross in Paris, Indigenous entertainer Casey Donovan, writer, artist and comedian Anh Do, and Paralympic swimmer Timothy Hodge.
The Crescent at Parramatta Park has been turned into a makeshift showground for the lunch event, with food trucks and market stalls. There will be displays of sheepdogs and backyard cricket.
Local produce will be showcased, and the sparkling barbecues will be manned by Surf Lifesavers.
The Queen will also fit in some meet and greets, slated to meet three-time Paralympic Swimmer Timothy Hodge and Indigenous entertainer Casey Donovan.
She will also meet founder and chief executive officer of charity Plate It Forward, Shaun Christie David, and the Premier’s NSW Woman of Excellence 2024 recipient Jessica Hill.
Multicultural food stalls and colourful flags lined the park on Tuesday afternoon, with the classic Australian sausage “sanga” available at an “Aussie BBQ” stall, cooked by Blackbear.
Neighbouring Vietnamese and Mediterranean BBQ stalls were respectively cooked up by Rice Pantry and MISC Parramatta.
Celebrating multiculturalism and regional producers, the stalls included a Messina van, artisan sheep milk dairy and cheese Pecora Dairy in Robertson, olive oils, syrups and jams from Aril Estate in Mullamuddy near Mudgee, grass-fed and finished beef and pasture-raised organic chicken and eggs from the Food Farm in Wyong Creek.
Guests, who ranged from community leaders, members, and Greater Western Sydney schoolchildren, were delighted by henna tattooing, backyard cricket hosted by Sydney Thunder, and even a sheep dog display from the Royal Agricultural Society.
Local schools and dance groups are also set to perform for their majesties at the event.
The event earlier sparked controversy when Australian soccer legend Craig Foster declined an invitation over social media.
“Thanks Anna and Chris Minns, But, no thanks,” he wrote on X.
“I look forward to being ‘in the presence of’ our first Aussie Head of State. When we put our big pants on, as a country.”
Foster is the former chair of the Australian Republic Movement.
Olympian Liam Adcock, who competed in the Long Jump at the 2024 Paris Olympics, was invited by the Olympians Association.
“It’s a pretty cool thing to come along, meet some people,” Adcock told NewsWire.
“I’ve got British citizenship as well, so a bit closer to home.”
WELCOME TO COUNTY
Earlier, King Charles III was welcomed by Indigenous leaders, a day after Senator Lidia Thorpe created a scene during the Royal visit at Parliament House.
When the King arrived at the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence he was met with a National Indigenous Australians Agency chief executive Jody Broun and Leon Donovan, a member of the Indigenous community, on Tuesday.
His Majesty watched on as a smoking ceremony was performed at the not for profit social enterprise in Sydney.
He then met with community members, stopping to speak to several people to hear their stories.
It was the first step on the King’s final day of his official royal tour of Australia.
QUICK CLEAN UP IN SYDNEY
The final day of the Australian tour was a bit messy with council workers having to work quickly to remove red paint that was thrown on a renowned statue of Queen Victoria in Sydney’s CBD.
Red paint was splashed over the historic monument outside the iconic Queen Victoria Building in Sydney’s Town Hall overnight ahead of King Charles and Queen Camilla’s packed day of events in the city.
The bronze statue of Queen Victoria, the second-longest reigning British Monarch, was crafted in 1908 and originally erected in the Irish capital Dublin.
It was shipped over to Sydney in the 1980s.
A crime scene has been set up around the statue and work is underway to restore it.
No arrests have been made.
The vandalism was the latest of a series of anti-monarchist events that have overshadowed the royal tour.
After the King addressed a reception at Parliament House in Canberra on Monday, independent Senator Lidia Thorpe heckled the monarch as she tried to serve him a “notice of complicity in Aboriginal genocide”.
Senator Thorpe screamed out “f**k the colony” and “you are not my King”.
Her actions have been condemned by the government, opposition and Indigenous leaders.
On Sunday, the royal couple’s first day of events, protesters gathered outside a church where they attended a service.
The group was dwarfed by the hundreds of fans that turned up to greet the King and Queen.
JAM PACKED DAY AHEAD
Charles and Camilla will wrap up their quick trip to Australia with a packed day in Sydney, which will include a community barbecue and a traditional meeting of the public at the Opera House.
The royal couple spent the day in Canberra on Monday, where they were largely warmly welcomed by the public and politicians and other dignitaries.
But Indigenous senator Lidia Thorpe created a scene during the reception at Parliament House after the King had given a speech highlighting his admiration for all Australians, including First Nations.
Their Majesties had earlier laid a wreath and floral tribute at the Australian War Memorial and later met with charities, and planted trees at Government House and the Botanic Gardens.
On Tuesday, they will start the day with visits to the inner-city.
The King will visit the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence – a not-for-profit social enterprise that works to serve community, build capacity and create opportunities for First Nations peoples.
The Queen will visit Refettorio OzHarvest, an Australian-first social impact collaboration. It serves up to 500 guests a week, free of charge, using fresh, rescued ingredients, to mark the 20th anniversary of OzHarvest. The Queen is a patron of UK Harvest.
She will later go to Green Square Library, where she will present certificates to Queen’s Commonwealth essay competition participants, and later meet authors Liane Moriarty and Tom Keneally.
The royal couple will attend an invitation-only community barbecue at Parramatta Park, hosted by Premier Chris Minns and his wife Anna.
The event will showcase the cultural diversity of Western Sydney.
It will feature henna tattooing, backyard cricket and performances by local schools and dance groups.
After lunch, the King will attend a reception by The King’s Foundation, visit the Melanoma Institute Australia and then return to the city, where he and the Queen will greet Australians in front of the Sydney Opera House.
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