As talk of republicanism began again in Australia, King Charles and Queen Camilla feared the worst when they landed in Sydney in the rain and darkness.
But they were quickly encouraged by the sight of the public who turned out in droves to cheer and watch them leave the airport late on Friday night.
Charles was said to have been “tickled” to see a lady in a dressing gown, “waving madly” after rushing out of her house to watch her car pass by during the 20-minute drive into town.
“She was obviously getting ready to go to sleep, but she heard the convoy sirens and was super excited, so she ran out. It definitely tickled everyone,” a source said.
Relief at the exuberant public reception manifested itself in the beaming smiles on the couple’s faces as they arrived to stay at Admiralty House at the start of a six-day visit.
King Charles and Queen Camilla feared the worst when they landed in Sydney in the rain and darkness, but were heartened by the warm welcome they received.
Welcome to Sydney: King Charles III and Queen Camilla are welcomed by Sam Mostyn, Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia
King Charles III and Queen Camilla were welcomed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his partner Jodie Haydon.
An image of King Charles and Queen Camilla is projected at the Sydney Opera House, when they arrived to visit the country.
Images from across Charles’ life were beamed into the iconic Sydney building.
How long does it rain on us! Camilla holds an umbrella as the skies open as the couple lands.
The tour is Charles’ first since his rise to power in September 2022 and his diagnosis of an unspecified cancer in February of this year.
Admiralty House, where they will stay during their visit, is the official residence of the Governor General, the King’s principal representative in Australia, who has appointed Charles to the honorary rank of Admiral of the Fleet of the Royal Australian Navy, Field Marshal of the Australian Army and Marshal of the Royal Australian Air Force.
The house has stunning views of the city and the Kings couldn’t resist shaking off their jet lag to marvel at the landscape, with the photo taken under a porch upon returning from a short walk.
Camilla, 77, wore a royal blue Fiona Clare silk crepe dress embellished with the opulent Australian diamond brooch, originally owned by the late Queen Elizabeth.
Charles, 75, looked bright-eyed in a nautical tie and later enjoyed what has been described as a “very cordial” cup of tea with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Charles bravely stops his cancer treatment to travel, with the agreement of his doctors.
He travels, as usual, accompanied by two doctors: one specialized in general medicine and the other in “acute” medicine, such as traumatology.
This is Professor Charles Deakin, an expert in “trauma and pre-hospital resuscitation”.
He accompanied the King to Kenya last year with Dr Michael Dixon, known for his interest in homeopathy, but this time he stayed home.
Professor Deakin previously traveled with Charles to Jordan in 2021 and the Solomon Islands in 2019.
Charles and Camilla enjoyed a relaxing day at Admiralty House on Saturday, taking an occasional stroll through the gardens as the rain eased.
There are no overnight engagements, but it is understood the King will still make around eight appointments on some days.
Yesterday, Charles and Camilla enjoyed a relaxing day at Admiralty House, taking an occasional stroll through the gardens as the rain eased.
There are no overnight engagements, but the King will still make about eight appointments some days.
Claims that rest periods had been taken into account every 45 minutes were denied.
The couple will have a pleasant first day of engagements today in Sydney and “meet the people”, the new description given to the royal family’s traditional “outing” so as not to risk accusations of cultural appropriation.
They will attend St Thomas’ Anglican Church in North Sydney in the morning, where locals will be encouraged to gather on the lawn to watch (and hopefully chat) with the royal visitors.
The King will then hold several audiences before the tour moves to the capital, Canberra, tomorrow.