Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla were warmly welcomed by enthusiastic crowds in Sydney as they kicked off their Australia tour with a visit to St Thomas’ Anglican Church. The royal couple, accompanied by the archbishop of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel, and children from the church’s Sunday school, received a warm reception from the attendees waving Australian flags.
Queen Camilla, dressed in a pale green Anna Valentine dress and a stylish straw hat, graciously accepted a flower bouquet from the minister’s wife, Ellie Mantle, who inquired about their recovery from jet lag following their long flight to Australia. Inside the church, Charles and Camilla signed historic bibles, including one that belonged to Australia’s first minister and chaplain of the First Fleet in 1788.
Outside the church, the royal couple engaged with families and fans, exchanging handshakes and conversations with those who had gathered to catch a glimpse of them. The public's excitement was palpable as they sang “God Save the King” while lining the streets to greet Charles and Camilla.
King Charles proceeded to visit the New South Wales parliament, commemorating the 200th anniversary of Australia’s oldest legislature. During his visit, he emphasized the crucial role of strong parliaments in upholding democracy and presented the lawmakers with an hourglass to time their speeches.
In a significant gesture, Charles announced a personal donation to establish a skills program aimed at addressing climate change and enhancing higher education in small island states, including the Pacific Islands. The initiative, supported by the Association of Commonwealth Universities, aims to empower mid-career professionals and civil servants, fostering talent retention and resilience to climate change impacts such as rising sea levels.
Expressing his deep connection to Australia and its people, King Charles shared his joy at visiting the country as sovereign for the first time and reaffirmed his commitment to education as a catalyst for positive change across the Commonwealth and beyond.
Following their engagements in Australia, King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa, marking a significant milestone in their overseas tour.
