King Charles and Queen Camilla of Britain have paid their respects at the Australian War Memorial and greeted well-wishers during the second day of their visit to Australia. The royal couple laid wreaths at the memorial in Canberra, where they also took the time to shake hands with members of the public.
This visit holds significance as it marks King Charles III’s 17th trip to Australia and the first since his ascension to the throne in 2022. It is the first time a reigning British monarch has visited Australia since Queen Elizabeth II’s trip in 2011. Despite King Charles battling cancer, the couple has chosen to continue with a scaled-down itinerary for their visit.
After a day of rest upon their arrival, King Charles and Queen Camilla attended a church service in Sydney before heading to Canberra. While in the capital, they paid their respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier and attended a reception at Parliament House hosted by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The royal couple took the time to engage with hundreds of well-wishers gathered at the war memorial, enjoying the warm weather under clear skies with temperatures expected to reach a pleasant 24 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit). However, not all government leaders from the Australian states were present at the reception, as some declined invitations due to their preference for an Australian head of state.
Despite some differing opinions on monarchy, Prime Minister Albanese has expressed his support for Australia eventually becoming a republic, although no plans for a referendum are expected during his current term. King Charles is scheduled to travel to Samoa next, where he will open the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
In conclusion, King Charles and Queen Camilla’s visit to Australia has been marked by moments of solemn remembrance at the war memorial as well as warm interactions with the Australian public, showcasing the enduring ties between the two nations.