Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla attend church on Australia tour

20/10/2024 14:34

        Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla met large, cheering crowds in Sydney after attending a church service on Sunday, the first event of their Australia tour.
        
        The royal couple were greeted at St Thomas' Anglican Church by the archbishop of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel, and children from the church's Sunday school who waved Australian flags.
        
        Camilla, wearing a pale green Anna Valentine dress and straw hat, was given a flower bouquet by the minister's wife, Ellie Mantle, who asked if they had recovered from jet lag after the long flight to Australia on Friday. "Sort of," Camilla replied.
        
        Inside the church, Charles and Camilla signed two bibles, including one that belonged to Australia's first minister and chaplain of the First Fleet of ships that took convicts from Britain to the penal colony of Australia in 1788.
        
        Outside, the royal couple shook hands and chatted with families and cheering fans, some singing "God Save the King", who lined the streets around the church, the public's first opportunity to meet Charles and Camilla since they arrived in Australia's biggest city on Friday night.
        
        Travelling across Sydney Harbour, Charles visited the New South Wales parliament, marking the 200th anniversary of Australia's oldest legislature.
        
        The king presented the lawmakers with an hour glass to time their speeches, and highlighted the fundamental role of strong parliaments to democracy.