King Charles speaks of his great joy at visiting Australia as Monarch

The King has spoken of his great joy at visiting Australia as its Monarch.

Charles III is the first reigning King to tour the country.

In his first official speech during his historic visit, His Majesty said that it was a ”great joy…to come to Australia for the first time as Sovereign and to renew a love of this country and its people which I have cherished for so long.”

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He made his speech at an event marking the bicentenary of the Legislative Council of the New South Wales Parliament where he was accompanied by Ben Franklin, the President of the Council.

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The King later presented an hourglass to mark his visit.

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The speech came on the first day of official engagements on the royal tour. King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in Australia on October 18th when they were welcomed with a special show which saw their images projected on to the facade of the Sydney Opera House.

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The first official engagement of the tour saw The King and Queen attend Sunday morning service at St. Thomas’ Church in Sydney where a sizeable crowd gathered to see them. They were presented with flowers and gifts as they did a walkabout. A small anti Monarchy demonstration took place nearby.

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During their visit to St. Thomas’ Church, King Charles and Queen Camilla signed the front page of an historic Book of Common Prayer.

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As the first day of events concluded, The King held meetings with the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Sam Mostyn, and the Governor of New South Wales, Margaret Beazley.