Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023: Aussies light flame in front of King Charles III
King Charles joked with Victoria Cross holder Dan Keighran as he lit the flame to signal the start of London leg of the Legacy Centenary Torch Relay at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
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A week from his Coronation, King Charles took time out of a hectic schedule to meet one of Australia’s most celebrated military men and give his backing to a unique and epic venture that will span the globe from the UK to the Great Southern Land.
Victoria Cross holder Dan Keighran was among a group of Australians invited to Buckingham Palace on Friday to begin the London leg of the Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023.
The King observed the ceremonial torches – which have already toured the WWI Anzac battlefields of France and Belgium – being lit to mark the start to the London stage of the six-month marathon.
And the King joked with the decorated Australian about not getting singed by the flame as it was lit.
The torches were lit in front of the king, held by Keighran and Legacy London widow Angela Brient in the Palace quadrangle.
The King shared a joke with the torchbearers, taking one torch – not lit – and swinging it like a cricket or baseball bat.
Afterwards Keighran joked he was worried about singeing the King as the wind gusted the flames from the torch. “I had to keep moving back,” he said.
The King was in more serious mode as he congratulated 101-year-old Mary Nicholson, whose late husband was in the air force in WWII and who has moved back to the UK from Australia 20 years ago. She said she was “so pleased” to have been there.
And later he told event organiser Liliana Sanelli she was “the genius we need” for organising such a complex international event.
Torch bearers and leaders of the charity, which cares for the families of military veterans and has long links with the Royal family, were among the estimated 45 people who met King Charles at the event held in the quadrangle of the palace.
The King’s late father Prince Philip became an honorary member of Sydney Legacy in 1954, calling it “a unique organisation” that Australians should be proud of, adding: “I doubt whether there is anything quite like it anywhere in the world”.
Keighran – who was awarded his medal for gallantry in Afghanistan and who now works for defence and tech multinational Thales – is no stranger to royal events, having met the Queen and attending her Majesty’s funeral. He has also been invited by King Charles III to be present at his Coronation.
“It was very special, I felt very privileged,” he said. “When you sign up you take an oath or affirmation … For me it has always been the Crown.”
For the Queenslander, who “grew up with nothing”, mixing with royalty might seem a leap. But for him, it is all about the mission – in this case, helping raise Legacy’s profile.
“I love being able to be in a position to help others in a less fortunate position. I grew up with dirt floors, so I get it. It’s nice, now as I get older, to be able to give back.”
As part of an official congratulations message to Legacy, the King sent a particular salute to the families it helps – the beneficiaries. “Their sacrifice, whether through personal service or the loss of the life or health of a loved one, will never be forgotten,” he said. “My wife joins me in sending you our warmest good wishes for a memorable and enjoyable program of commemorative events and every possible success to those participating in the Centenary Torch Relay to mark this most special anniversary.”
After meeting the King they took the torch on a 3.5km relay through the streets of London, ending at the Australian War Memorial near the city’s famous Hyde Park Corner, where mum-of-four Ms Brient – whose late husband Terry spent 22 years in the RAAF – and her children used the torch to light a lantern of remembrance.
“Legacy has given us so much support and guidance, access to psychologists, help with paperwork, the will, everything we needed to deal with they were with us,” she said.
“They gave the children access to kids’ camp and made us feel that we were not alone, I want to get something back.”
As the procession passed, crowds gathered at crush barriers set up in advance of the Coronation, gawped and repeatedly burst into impromtu applause.
As the event got under way, Legacy Australia Chairman Eric Easterbrook OAM said it was “wonderful” that the King was continuing his parents’ support for Legacy, adding: “I can’t think of a more fitting commemoration than being at Buckingham Palace in our 100th year.”
A visibly emotional Liliana Sanelli, executive producer of the relay, sponsored by insurers Defence Health, said the endeavour had been three years in the planning – and having the King’s participation was “better than anything I could have hoped for”.
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