King Charles and Queen Camilla experienced a ghostly reminder of the past when they signed Australia’s first Bible on the second day of their tour.
The royal couple are on a six-day tour of Australia, the first since the king ascended the throne, and as part of their duties they were asked to sign the country’s first Bible and first book of common prayer.
All members of the Royal Family have signed the Bible, which belonged to the Reverend Richard Johnson, the first Christian minister to Australia, on previous royal visits.
The late Queen Elizabeth signed it in 1954 during the first visit of a reigning monarch to these shores, and the archbishop said the Bible “represents a significant history of this church and nation.”
Using his own fountain pen, the King signed the Bible on a page beneath the signature of the late Princess of Wales during his 1983 visit.
The King alluded to his inevitable jet lag as he signed, joking: “What day is it again?” and chuckling.
All members of the Royal Family have signed the Bible, which belonged to the Reverend Richard Johnson, the first Christian minister to Australia, on previous royal visits.
King Charles signs a copy of the Bible as Queen Camilla looks on during a visit to St Thomas’ Anglican Church.
The signatures of King Charles III and Queen Camilla are seen alongside those of other British royals, including Queen Elizabeth II, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and Diana, Princess of Wales.
Queen Camilla signs a Bible and book of common prayer while attending Church
The church gave royal visitors gifts including a rugby ball, a cricket ball and a toy koala to take home for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
The King later took on his first major ceremonial duty (and an impromptu royal walk) when he visited the New South Wales Legislative Council to mark its bicentenary.
Leaving to loud applause from the hundreds gathered on the lawn in front of the church, the King saluted before approaching to speak to the public.
Some supporters said they had started queuing at 5am to get a prime spot to see the couple, and others in the crowd arrived especially from other parts of Australia.
Charles told one person, “It’s a beautiful day,” while several others shouted, “We love you.”
Afterwards, the Archbishop said: “It has been a great pleasure and privilege to have Their Majesties with us here at St Thomas’, in Sydney’s north.
‘This church has a family connection with His Majesty because his great-grandfather as a teenager laid the foundation stone.’
He added: “It was wonderful for this local church to be able to welcome Sovereign King Charles and Queen Camilla to join us for today’s service – we are absolutely thrilled.”
‘There has been a great feeling.
‘People are very happy to see them and they received a very generous and warm welcome.
“And Their Majesties were also very generous in greeting many people shortly after their jet lag.”
Charles greets the crowd outside after attending a Sunday church service at St Thomas’ Anglican Church.
Queen Camilla thanks a supporter for offering her flowers outside St Thomas’ Anglican Church
King Charles and Queen Camilla greet the crowd gathered to welcome their arrival in Sydney (pictured)
A little girl wearing a tiara and a princess dress greets the King as he passes the crowd on his way to the church.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla greet the crowd during a visit to St. Thomas Anglican Church
The King and Queen greet young supporters as they enter St. Thomas Church
When the then Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, landed in Australia in 1983, they faced a barrage of anti-royal sentiments.
The Daily Mail reported at the time that Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke did not even bow to the couple, although his wife Hazel did.
At first, the anti-royal Hawke dismissed his visit as not “the most important thing” he would do in his first months as the country’s new leader, historian Robert Lacey said in his book Battle Of Brothers.
However, by the end of the journey they had won the hearts of many Australians.
King Charles and Queen Camilla received the warmest welcome today on their first full day of engagements in Australia.
Arriving at St Thomas’ Anglican Church in Sydney’s north in the morning, the royal duo were greeted with loud cheers from hundreds of well-wishers who waved Australian flags, brought bouquets of flowers and toy koalas.
