King Charles and Queen Camilla delighted hundreds of fans at their first public appearance Down Under, but none more so than 13-year-old royals fan Alexander who called it a moment he’ll remember for his “entire life”.
Hundreds of churchgoers and royal watchers waited hours at St Thomas’s Anglican Church in North Sydney for the monarchs’ arrival, with many running between locations trying to secure the best spot to see the royals.
Security was ramped up in the moments before the monarch’s arrival, and excitement grew as the sound of the helicopter following His Majesty from the sky neared.
As a cavalcade of police motorbikes and cars approached, King Charles was greeted by an adoring crowd.
Applause broke out, and chants of “God save the King” filled the air, chanted by the hundred packed into the church lawns.
Charles smiled, waving with clear excitement as Australians welcomed the first-ever King of Australia to set foot on Aussie soil.
Queen Camilla, sat next to the king in the car, smiled warmly as she exited the vehicle and greeted officials and waved at royal watchers.
It wasn’t all cheering, before his arrival a small crowd of protestors positioned almost 200 meters from the church chanted: “The colony will fall.”
However, their protests were no match for adoring fans. The crowd, a mix of all ages, young and old, as support for the monarch was on clear display.
Michelle McShane, 46, came to North Sydney on Sunday with her two children Everly and Alexander.
The family from Ramsgate saw that the Monarchs would be attending and young Alexander, 13 wanted to take up the opportunity to see his first-ever royal with sister Everly, 11.
“We saw on the news that he would be here and decided we could make it. So we jumped on the train,” Ms McShane said.
“I’ve never seen a royal in my life and I just wanted to,” Alexander said.
“They look like they do in the photos.
“It was really cool. Something I will remember my entire life.”
Six-year-old Charles from Sydney said he had come down to see the first King to visit Australia, one that also shares his name.
His brother Alex, eight, said: “It’s pretty exciting to see them because we’ve never seen the royals.
Ruby Mallinson from Darlington in the UK is visiting Australia and wanted to come share her support for the King and Queen.
Attending with her family’s Welsh Terrier Monty, she said she came today “to share my support”.
“It’s less busy, surprisingly than royal events in the UK,” she said.
“I went to the palace when I was five for Queen Elizabeth II’s Jubilee and it’s not quite that.
Local Leeonie Micallef said she “just locals the royals”.
“I wanted to see them
“It feels really awesome to See King Charles and Queen Camilla here.
“I chased Princess William and Catherine around Sydney when they first visited Australia together and took my daughter along.
“So I had to come today.
The church service lasted around an hour before Charles and Camilla came out of a side door of the building to meet the public.
The crowd were in awe as they saw a monarch so close. An auditable gasp was heard
Young children yelled three cheers for the King before crowds loudly yelled “Hurray
“Long live the King”, they echoed.
Anjana Basnet, 49, born in Nepal and now a resident of North Sydney shook hands with the King as he left church and was moved that the monarch was aware of a recent earthquake that hit her beloved home nation.
“I’m a big royal fan.
“I said please accept my flowers Your Majesty and he did before thanking me,” she said beaming with joy at her interaction.
“I told him that I live in Australia and was born in Nepal.
“He told me he was aware of the large earthquake that had recently struck the country and shared his corner and well wishes for those affected.
Charlotte Story, 40, attended with her two young children Rose and Ava.
“It was so exciting to see His Majesty,” she said.
“He came up very close. He smiled and had such beautiful blue eyes. He was so interested in talking to people.
“We got a photo and this is something we will always remember.”
UK-born Emma Cantero, who now resides in Sydney, said: “I do enjoy the royalty. It’s a little bit of celebrity.” “There is an air of excitement,” she said.
Comparing Sunday’s church service to the UK she was struck by the “intimate” nature of the gathering, rarely seen in the UK.
“Here, outside a church, it’s a lot more intimate,” she said.
“It’s just lovely. I think it’s really nice.”
“The last time I saw royals was at a big event and no one could dream of getting close.
“I think there is a lot of support still.
“I am a royal fan, I wouldn’t say I am a monarchist, but I think there will always be excitement for the royals.”
Among the crowd was Helen Hetrelezis and her brothers who arrived at the church at 7.45am — almost three hours before the church service. Their efforts paid off and Ms Hetrelezis was granted a few moments with Camilla after church.
“We spoke about her visit, I asked the queen about her stay, she said she was enjoying Sydney very much,” Ms Hetrelezis said.
In an unplanned moment, the king and queen went to greet the crowds on the other side of the church, with police scrambling to ensure they were protected.
Archbishop Kanishka Raffel said it was a “delight” to have the royal couple attend the local service.
“It has been a great pleasure and privilege,” he said. “It was lovely for this local church to welcome the sovereign King Charles and Queen Camilla.”
As the royal couple were whisked away in their motorcade, their staff carried dozens of flowers and gifts, while Sydney cheered.
https://thewest.com.au/news/royal-family/king-chales-queen-elizabeth-attend-st-thomas-anglican-church-in-north-sydney-c-16455936
