King Charles III and Queen Camilla will be welcomed by Australian republicans Anthony Albanese and Chris Minns upon their arrival at Sydney Airport for their historic tour of the country.

A Reception by Key Figures

In addition to the Prime Minister, the royal couple will be greeted by prominent figures, including former Governor-General Sam Mostyn and New South Wales Governor Margaret Beazley. They will also be met by 12-year-old Kay and his sister Charlotte, who will present Queen Camilla with a bouquet of flowers after fulfilling their wish through the Make-a-Wish foundation.

A Republican’s Special Welcome

Despite being a republican, Chris Minns, Premier of New South Wales, stated, “I will treat the King as an honored guest in New South Wales, which he truly is.” He expressed hope that the King would have a wonderful time in the state. This tour takes place as the King undergoes ongoing cancer treatment, serving as a symbol of the royal family’s affection for Australia.

A Symbolic Tour and the Role of the Crown

Alexander Voltz, spokesperson for the Australian Monarchist League, noted that the tour is a reminder that “the Crown is a symbol that takes the King’s life.” He highlighted King Charles’ special connection to Australia, having studied there in his youth. The league is preparing to distribute 15,000 Australian flags to fans eager to catch a glimpse of the royals.

Special Moments on Arrival

It is expected that the royal couple will fly over Sydney Harbour, where they will catch a glimpse of the illuminated Sydney Opera House, which will display a montage of images from past royal visits from 8 PM to midnight. If they miss the opportunity from the air, they will see it while driving over the Sydney Harbour Bridge en route to Admiralty House.

Royal Honor at the Horse Race

While Saturday has been set aside for the King’s rest due to his chemotherapy treatment, both King Charles and Queen Camilla are eager to attend the King Charles III Stakes race, a $5 million event at Royal Randwick, named in the King’s honor. All tickets for the Everest horse race, part of the event, have sold out, with a crowd of 50,000 expected.

First Royal Visit Since 2011

This marks the first visit to Australia by a reigning monarch since Queen Elizabeth II‘s 2011 visit. During this tour, King Charles and Queen Camilla will meet privately with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his partner Jodie Haydon at Admiralty House before officially beginning their Australian tour.