‘I’ve been waiting my whole life’: Delighted fans greet King and Queen
King Charles III and Queen Camilla have been welcomed by warm weather as they made their first public appearance in Australia during 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 during an intimate Sunday morning service at St Thomas’ Anglican Church in northern Sydney.
Upon arrival, the royal couple were greeted by crowds that wrapped around the church’s property, hoping to catch a glimpse of them.
As Charles and Camilla made their way to the front of church, children waving Australian flags cheered and shook hands with the couple. 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.
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.
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 serval hymn, prayers and several readings from the Old and New Testaments (Isaiah 52:13-53:12 and Acts 8:26-40).
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.
‘I’ve been waiting my whole life’
Mother and daughter Vallerie and Alexis Malinowski were the first in line.
“I’ve been waiting my whole life to meet King Charles,” Vallerie said.
She was 15 when she saw Charles on television for the first time, starting her long-held intrigue with the Royal family.
“From then on it was a real connection,” she said.
Alexis showed The Australian a photo aged four when she was pictured handing some
wildflowers to the then-Queen.
Many of the royal enthusiasts had attended the King’s coronation in the UK last year.
At least a dozen pro-Palestinian protesters also gathered outside St Thomas’ Anglican Church ahead of the royal pair’s arrival.
The demonstrators held one large banner reading “Empire built on genocide. Not our king”, as they expressed solidarity with the Indigenous Australians, Lebanese and Palestinian people.
King makes parliament address
After the church service, King Charles made short journey from St Thomas’ Anglican Church to Macquarie Street in the CBD via car for a Bicentenary of the Legislative Council event.
About 200 people who lined up against a barricade along Macquarie Street were greeted with a wave by the King.
He was officially welcomed at the gates of Parliament House by Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of NSW, President of the Legislative Council Ben Franklin MLC and others.
In a brief speech, the King said he was “delighted” and “proud” to return to the Parliament of NSW to celebrate its bicentenary, and presented the chamber with an hour glass.
“And in the spirit of marking the passage of time, it is my great pleasure to present a small gift to the Parliament. It is, in fact, an hour glass, a speech timer, to sit in the chamber and bear witness to the Legislative Council’s next chapter,” he said.
“So with the sands of time encouraging brevity, it just remains for me to say what a great joy it is to come to Australia for the first time as Sovereign and to renew a love of this country and its people which I have cherished for so long.
“So thank you. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for making me feel so very welcome. Thank you.”
Queen Camilla did not travel into the city after greeting the thousands of royal fans gathered outside the church for a glimpse at the couple.
King Charles and Queen Camilla have events in Sydney and Canberra from October 18 to October 23.
It is Charles’ 17th visit to Australia since his first trip in 1966 at the age of 17.