Two years into his reign, King Charles is set to join Queen Camilla as they make their first visit to Australia since becoming the country’s King and Queen.
The visit, which is scheduled for October, will be a five-day affair as the diary accounts for His Majesty’s ongoing health concerns following a cancer diagnosis. It’s been six years since Their Majesties last visited the country. The visit is not only a poignant moment of The King’s reign, it marks the first time in more than a decade a reigning Monarch has visited the country. Queen Elizabeth II made her last tour of the country in 2011.
From 18 October to the 23rd, The King and Queen will spend time in Canberra and Sydney as they focus on issues of particular interest to them. On the agenda for this trip are events at Parliament House in Canberra and the Sydney Harbour. The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese is set to host a reception on Capital Hill with Australian community leaders and political figures. The reception will take place before a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the Australian War Memorial.
The Prime Minister said of the visit: “The royal visit is an opportunity to showcase the best of Australia — our rich culture, our sense of community, and contributions to science, research and global progress.
“His majesty first visited Australia in 1966 and has a strong personal affection for our nation.”
As King Charles plans to showcase his passions for climate change and the environment with a tour of the National Botanic Gardens, Queen Camilla has her own plans. Her Majesty will meet with domestic violence advocates and representatives from the organisation GIVIT. GIVIT helps distribute donations to a wide range of charities across the nation. The Queen will also showcase her love of reading at a Sydney library while Charles meets with the Australians of the Year, Georgina Long and Richard Scolyer to discuss their world-leading research on cancer treatments.
King Charles began treatment for cancer at the beginning of the year. After a brief break from public facing duties, His Majesty returned to engagements. This is the biggest trip he has made since his diagnosis.
