When Tayla Green-Aldridge received a phone call asking her to attend one of the biggest events of the century, the 18-year-old thought it was a prank.
The Wiradjuri and Djirringanj woman is set to attend the coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, after being invited by the national charity Prince's Trust Australia.
Ms Green-Aldridge is expected to be among 2,000 guests, including senior members of the royal family, international celebrities and the political elite.
"Honestly, I can't believe it," Ms Green-Aldridge said.
"I've been researching all the royal family, the monarchy and the Kings and Queens, but that's all I really know.
"I think it's only just sunk in I'll be going on a plane to the other side of the world."
The trip will be her first time on an aeroplane and her first time overseas.
Travelling with Julie Bishop
Ms Green-Aldridge received the invitation after graduating from the Prince's Trust Australia's Get Into Maritime program, which is taught at TAFE NSW and organised by the Sea Heritage Foundation.
The hands-on course aims to provide First Nations students with training for the maritime industry and has so far seen all seven graduates go into future training or work.
She will be travelling with her mum Julie and former foreign affairs minister Julie Bishop, who is the chair of the Prince's Trust Australia.
"I am honoured to be invited to the Coronation and delighted that the Prince's Trust Australia has received such recognition," Ms Bishop said.
Exploring what London has to offer
Ms Green-Aldridge went to the small primary school of Tanja on the far south coast of NSW, which has less than 20 students.
She then went on to Bega High School, before moving to the Sydney suburb of Bankstown a year ago.
"I can't believe just a year ago I was living in Bega, now look where I'll be going," she said.
During the trip Ms Green-Aldridge will also meet Larissa Behrendt, a Eualeyai and Kamillaroi academic, writer, and Indigenous rights advocate who hails from Cooma in the NSW Snowy Mountains.
"I love her book After Story, so that will be really cool," Ms Green-Aldridge said.
"We were also recommended to go and see some musicals, but we'll see when we get there what London has to offer."
