Photo highlights major contrast between Princess Diana’s 1983 royal visit and King Charles and Queen Camilla’s visit

Photos have emerged highlighting a major difference between Princess Diana’s and King Charles and Queen Camilla’s royal visits to Australia.

A photo has highlighted a stark comparison between Princess Diana’s visit to Australia compared to King Charles and Queen Camilla’s 2024 visit.

Thousands of Australians turned out to catch a glimpse of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Tuesday as the royals wound up their quick Australian royal visit at the iconic Sydney Opera House.

King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived at the Sydney Opera House to rapturous applause, with an estimated 10,000 people lined up in the streets and packed into the forecourt of one of Australia’s most famous landmarks.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla attended the Sydney Opera House with NSW Premier Chris Minns and his wife Anna. Picture: NewsWire/Damian Shaw

King Charles III and Queen Camilla stopped in Sydney on their royal tour. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

“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.

However, a post to X has highlighted a major difference between this royal visit and Princess Diana’s in 1983, alongside a then Prince Charles and baby Prince William.

Photos of the two royal visits side-by-side show a massive sea of people all the way up to the Opera House steps, with Princess Diana — wearing a broad brimmed pink hat, pearls, and a floral pink dress — held onto flowers no doubt given to her by adoring onlookers as she moved through the crowd.

1983 2024 https://t.co/mmErRxC1pepic.twitter.com/XFSa9iH8Sg

— australian kitsch 🦘 (@OzKitsch) October 22, 2024

Next to it, a photo of the 2024 royal visit showed no one but police on the steps, with crowds this time restricted to sections and no longer allowed to move freely up to the Opera House.

People were quick to point out crowds weren’t permitted on the steps.

“I was there today. This comparison is not valid. The public were not allowed to be on the steps in front of the sails,” one person commented.

“So the very large crowd is behind the shot looking onto the steps.”

“There were people all over the city — they only let this many in,” another wrote.

A then Prince Charles & Princess Diana at the Sydney Opera House during their 1983 Royal Tour of Australia. Picture: News Limited.

King Charles III greeted the crowd at the Sydney Opera House. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

“Massively publicised, unrestricted crowds, young energetic couple vs low key visit by aging King and Queen who have even villainised by the likes of you for decades,” added another.

Princess Diana was only 21-years-old when she embarked on a six week tour across Australia and New Zealand with a then Prince Charles, who would have been 33.

Now King, Charles is 75-years-old, while Queen Camilla is 77-years-old.

Their Majesties are set to depart Australia on Wednesday morning, heading to Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting.

Originally published as Photo highlights major contrast between Princess Diana’s 1983 royal visit and King Charles and Queen Camilla’s visit