NT to greet Prince Charles with a royal welcome
THE Prince has landed in Darwin after a stopover in Arnhem Land earlier on Monday
Northern Territory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News.
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.
“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.
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.
‘See some records broken’: First medals given out as ‘Games with Heart’ kicks off
One of the biggest weeks on the Red Centre sporting calendar is underway in full force, drawing thousands of competitors – some of whom have already taken out the top prize. SEE THE PICTURES.
Fire fears as heritage-listed mural sits forgotten after $3m acquisition
A fire danger period being declared hasn’t spurred the government into action over a site it acquired for more than $3 million – leading to fears an important piece of NT heritage could be reduced to ash.