NT to greet Prince Charles with a royal welcome

THE Prince has landed in Darwin after a stopover in Arnhem Land earlier on Monday

UPDATE: THE Prince has landed in Darwin after a stopover in Arnhem Land earlier on Monday.

He is set to attend a function at Stokes Hill Wharf this evening before several events are held in the city on Tuesday.

EARLIER: PRINCE Charles has thrilled onlookers with a wave from his Royal motorcade at Gove Airport, after touching down in the Northern Territory.

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales stepped off his Royal Australian Air Force jet to be greeted by a small gathering of dignitaries including Gumatj clan chieftain Galarrwuy Yunupingu, Chief Minister Michael Gunner and wife Kristy O’Brien, NT Administrator Vicki O’Halloran and Senator Nigel Scullion.

Travelling with an international press pack and a bevvy of Clarence House minders, the Prince was quickly whisked from the airport after the welcomes had been exchanged.

Mr Yunupingu, a former Australian of the Year and land rights pioneer, handed Prince Charles a woomera as a welcoming gift to Yolngu country.

Prince Charles picked up the traditional weapon and jokingly pretended to use it.

“It’s for his protection in case someone throws a spear at him,” Mr Yunupingu joked at the airport afterwards.

The Rirratjingu people have begun their ceremony, as Prince Charles has reportedly just touched down in Gove @TheNTNews pic.twitter.com/dZ7xak0C1z

— Chelsea Heaney (@ChelseaHeaney) April 9, 2018

The Gumatj clan leader will now attend the Yirrkala art centre, Buku, where Prince Charles will today tour and view artworks from across East Arnhem Land.

Gove residents Shannon Roediger and Adele Purdey brought their kids along to watch as the Prince, dressed in a khaki suit, stepped foot off the plane onto Territory soil, and said they were thrilled.

Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, is led away following a Welcome to Country Ceremony at Mt Nhulun in Gove, Arnhem Land, Australia, Monday, April 9, 2018. The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall are on a seven-day tour of Australia, visiting Queensland and the Northern Territory. (AAP Image/Getty Images Pool, Brook Mitchell) NO ARCHIVING

“It was strangely exciting. We weren’t expecting to come we just kind of came on the spur of the moment,” Ms Roediger said.

“But it was really exciting. He waved out of the car as they drove off, he wound the window down and waved out the window.”

Prince Charles will now attend a special welcome to country ceremony at the top of the sacred Mt Nhulun.

Bulugambi Marika, 1, painted with the Rirratjingu clan design (minytji) on his face, in the community of Yirrkala ahead of Prince Charles' visit to the Northern Territory. @TheNTNews pic.twitter.com/7GllMgVp3i

— Michael Franchi (@Michael_Franchi) April 8, 2018

EARLIER: DIGNITARIES have begun gathering at Gove Airport in anticipation of the arrival of Prince Charles in the Northern Territory.

Gumatj chieftain Galarrwuy Yunupingu, draped in traditional Yolngu headwear and sitting in a wheelchair, will be among the first to greet the British Royal, representing as one of the most powerful figures in East Arnhem Land.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner and wife Kristy O’Brien will also meet the Prince after he touches down from his Cairns flight before midday, as will NT Administrator Vicki O’Halloran.

Gumatj chief executive Klaus Helms takes Gumatj chieftain Galarrwuy Yunupingu through Gove Airport to greet Prince Charles when he touches down in the Northern Territory Picture: Keri Megelus

The Prince is expected to walk from the airport into a police escorted convoy to be welcomed to country with a special ceremony and traditional bunngul on Mt Nhulun, delivered by leaders of numerous East Arnhem clan groups. He will then make his way to Yirrkala art centre.

More to come.