King Charles and Queen Camilla began their Australia tour with a warmly received service at St Thomas's Anglican Church in Sydney, meeting hundreds of supporters and schoolchildren. The King presented an hourglass as a symbolic gift to the State Parliament's upper house and reflected on returning to Australia as Sovereign nearly 60 years after his first visit. Their itinerary includes Canberra, a naval review and a stop in Samoa for the Commonwealth meeting.
King Charles and Queen Camilla Greet Crowds at Sydney Church as Australian Tour Begins
Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla greet people after attending a Sunday morning service at St Thomas' Anglican Church in Sydney on October 20, 2024, during their six-day royal visit to Sydney and Canberra. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP) (Photo by SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images) (SAEED KHAN)
King Charles and Queen Camilla made a warm public start to their Australia tour on Sunday, attending a morning service at St Thomas's Anglican Church in Sydney and meeting hundreds of well-wishers.
Charles and Camilla attended a church service on Sunday morning (@ Don Arnold)
Warm Welcome at St Thomas's
The royal couple, who had a rest day after arriving in Sydney on Friday evening, were greeted by cheering crowds and schoolchildren waving miniature Australian flags as they entered the church grounds. The Archbishop of Sydney, the Most Reverend Kanishka Raffel, escorted them inside where they took seats in the front row.
The royals greeted their adoring fans outside the church (@ Don Arnold)
Wearing a pale grey suit, the King paused to speak with pupils, and the Queen looked elegant in a pale green Anna Valentine dress and coat with a straw hat by Lock & Co. Children showered the couple with greetings and small gifts; Camilla received a large bouquet, and ten-year-old Abigail Smith, in her Scouts uniform, presented the King with a drawing of a kangaroo.
The service is the first stop on their Aussie tour (@ SAEED KHAN)
"Thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen, for making me feel so very welcome,"
Later, in public remarks reflecting on the occasion, the King said it was a joy to return to Australia as Sovereign and observed how nearly 60 years had passed since his first visit. He presented the State Parliament's upper house with a symbolic hourglass — intended as a speech timer — noting the passage of time and the hope that its sands might encourage brevity.
Excited fans lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the royals (@ SAEED KHAN)
Public Reaction and Personal Moments
Supporters lined the streets despite wet weather, and though there was a small group of protesters nearby, they were vastly outnumbered by enthusiastic crowds. Local residents expressed gratitude that the monarch had made the trip. One visitor joked with the King about surfing at Manly Beach, to which the King replied he would only do so "if I was a younger man."
The Sydney Opera House welcomed the royals in style (@ Don Arnold)
At the airport on arrival, the couple were welcomed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his partner Jodie Haydon, as well as NSW Premier Chris Minns and the Governor‑General. In a touching moment, 12‑year‑old Ky — who is receiving support through the Make‑A‑Wish Foundation while battling a blood condition — and his sister Charlotte presented flowers to the King and Queen.
Itinerary Highlights
The Sydney visit is the first stop on a packed programme that includes a trip to Canberra to view the Australian War Memorial and pay respects at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander memorial, a return to Sydney for a naval fleet review and a community barbecue, and further community engagements. The couple will later travel to Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, with some separate appearances planned for Charles and Camilla during the tour.
The monarch's return carries personal resonance: this is his first overseas tour since announcing a cancer diagnosis earlier in the year, and it is the first visit to Australia by a reigning British king. Queen Elizabeth II visited Australia 16 times during her reign.
The royals are staying at Kirribilli House overlooking Sydney Harbour for the duration of their Sydney programme.
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