King Charles III and Queen Camilla's plane landed at Sydney Airport at 8.20pm on Friday to kick off their five-day visit to Australia.
This visit is the first visit by the royal couple to Australia since they ascended the throne in 2022, and the first time that a reigning monarch of United Kingdom has set foot on this land since his mother Queen Elizabeth visited Australia in 2011.
According to British media on October 18, about half an hour before King Charles was about to embark on a six-day historic royal tour, the sky was pouring rain, as if nature was playing a unique prelude to this major visit. However, just as they were about to step off the plane, the rain strangely subsided.
Although the weather was not beautiful, and they were greeted by strong winds and hail, this did not stop the enthusiasm of Australia's politicians and people. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his partner Judy ·Hayden · Judy Hayden, NSW Premier Chris · Mings and his mother Carla, Australian Governor Sam · Mosteen and NSW Governor Margaret · Beazley and many other dignitaries have come to welcome the King and Queen.
Queen Camilla, 77, wore a royal blue silk-crepe dress designed by Fiona · Claire and wore an Australia acacia brooch (a precious gift from the people of Australia to Queen Elizabeth II). She held up her umbrella and carefully walked down the stairs of the plane and into the tarmac, showing elegance and calmness.
In the welcoming procession was a special figure – 12-year-old Ky Exelby.
After battling leukemia, this brave kid has a love for royalty and hopes to meet his favorite royal member, King Charles. His appearance added a touch of warmth to this royal visit.
In addition, there is a group of die-hard royal fans who are not afraid of the rainstorm just to catch a glimpse of the monarch motorcade. Karen · Hazard, 54, from Greystans, watched intently at the plane landing on runway 25 through her rain-soaked glasses.
She said excitedly: "I have a hat, I have an umbrella, I have everything, just to see my king." I came from work at 5 o'clock, I have a United Kingdom background, I love royalty, so I thought, 'Why don't you come and see the King?' I didn't expect so many people to be waiting here. ”
Sarah · Michelle, 56, from Sydney's Landwick, was soaked even in a raincoat, but she was adamant: "Australia needs to respect its royal traditions, and the king is not feeling well but is still trying to come here, and we should do something for him." I didn't see the king himself, but even if I saw his motorcade passing in the rain, I could at least say, 'I saw him'. ”
The visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla to Australia has also sparked some controversy and discussion. Last year, there was a debate over whether to illuminate the opera house for the coronation.
In May 2023, Mr Mins said at the time that the cost of lighting up the landmark at £40,000 to £50,000 per night was too much for Australia taxpayers. On the occasion of the King's visit, however, Mr. Mins's attitude changed. He said it was important that the King received a warm welcome during his visit to Sydney and that the "main purpose" of lighting up the opera house was to focus on the events taking place in the state capital.
Mr Mins told The Australia Daily Telegraph: "I've mentioned the issue about the Sydney Opera House before, and when it comes to events in Sydney, the Opera House will be our number one target. The King is about to visit Sydney and we certainly want to make sure he receives a warm welcome and that's what we're going to do. ”
And, in a statement issued by the government on Wednesday, Mr Mins stressed: "We light up the Sydney Opera House and warmly welcome the King and Queen to our beautiful harbour city." Photographic projections on the sails of the Opera House celebrate a historic moment when the King's first visit to NSW as a monarch is a fitting tribute. I also invite everyone to join the King and Queen in the forecourt of the Opera House next Tuesday afternoon. NSW looks forward to hosting this landmark visit, and I encourage you to make the most of this opportunity. ”
But God doesn't always seem to be so beautiful. The Bureau of Meteorology predicts a 70% chance of rain in Sydney on Saturday and a 50% chance of rain next Tuesday. The rain is likely to follow the King and Queen to Canberra, where the Bureau of Meteorology expects one or two next Monday as well.
Despite the uncertainties that may be faced during the trip, plans for the visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla are still progressing steadily.
It was revealed that as head of state, King Charles will be accompanied on his visit by two United Kingdom doctors, one specializing in general medicine and the other specializing in "emergency medicine". His health will be closely monitored by doctors, who will undoubtedly make arrangements with local hospitals if further treatment is needed.
As always, his medical team will carry blood with them to ensure a match should a transfusion is needed, which is standard practice for the head of state. At the same time, Charles's activity plan has also been "adjusted" to better match the pace of the event.
He and his wife, Camilla, 77, will have a day off on Saturday to recuperate from the flight, with no other activities in the evening other than an official "King's Dinner" for Commonwealth heads of state at CHOGM in Samoa next week.
Rumor has it that the King will still participate in about 8 activities a day during his travels, and the staff's claim that they mandate a break every 45 minutes has been described as "outrageous".
A source revealed to the Post: "Yes, in the early planning, we ruled out the dinner schedule to lighten the show and schedule some breaks over a ten-day period. However, His Majesty definitely doesn't need to take a break every 45 minutes, people will see it when the show starts. ”