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King Charles, Queen Camilla visit Australian War Memorial in Canberra

Shane Wright and Jake Dietsch The Nightly
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Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive in Canberra.
Camera IconBritain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive in Canberra. Credit: SAEED KHAN/AAPIMAGE

Thousands of “star-struck” onlookers — and even a sneezing alpaca — greeted King Charles and Queen Camilla at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

At their first function on a one-day visit to Canberra, the King and Queen also heard several renditions of God Save the King from an at-times passionate crowd on the memorial’s lawns.

King Charles and Queen Camilla were welcomed to the memorial by Governor-General Sam Mostyn and Australian War Memorial Council chair, Kim Beazley.

They laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier before a rendition of the Last Post.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla stand after laying a wreath at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
Camera IconKing Charles III and Queen Camilla stand after laying a wreath at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Credit: BROOK MITCHELL/AAPIMAGE

Charles again went off script and walked over to the public, shaking hands with hundreds of Australians who shared greetings, and well wishes for the monarch.

The royal couple then spent more than 30 minutes talking to the gathered crowd.

Among those on hand to welcome their Majesties was 94-year-old Evelyn Botha who as a school girl presented a bouquet of roses to Princess Margaret - the King’s aunt - during a visit to her homeland of Scotland. A few years later, Evelyn’s sister Olga presented a similar bouquet to the then Princess Elizabeth.

Evelyn, born in the Scottish town of Perth, has only been in Australia for four months. She had been in Queensland until Saturday, flying down to see the King and Queen before moving to nearby Goulburn.

Britain's King Charles III, and Queen Camilla meet spectators before they leave the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
Camera IconBritain's King Charles III, and Queen Camilla meet spectators before they leave the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Credit: Mark Baker/AAPIMAGE

One creature to stand out was Hephner the alpaca, well known in Canberra for his charity work.

Wearing his own small crown, King Charles seemed surprised to be at eye-level with the white 9-year-old animal.

The King made a beeline for an alpaca but drew back from patting the animal as it sneezed on him.

A royal supporter stands in line with his alpaca to get into the Australian War Memorial ahead of King Charles and Queen Camilla's arrival.
Camera IconA royal supporter stands in line with his alpaca to get into the Australian War Memorial ahead of King Charles and Queen Camilla's arrival. Credit: Mark Baker/AAPIMAGE

“I’m never going to wash my hand,” shouted one member of the crowd who had managed to shake hands with the King.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive at the Australian War Memorial accompanied by Australian War Memorial Council Chair Kim Beazley (left) in Canberra, Australia.
Camera IconKing Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive at the Australian War Memorial accompanied by Australian War Memorial Council Chair Kim Beazley (left) in Canberra, Australia. Credit: BROOK MITCHELL/AP

Cliff Chapman from Fremantle flew across the country to see the royal pair.

Waving a Commonwealth and WA flag and dressed in a kilt to honour his Scottish heritage, Mr Chapman said he was happy they had made the effort to come to Australia.

“If I get the chance to speak to the King, I’ll say ‘welcome home’ because he owns the place,” he said.

A royal supporter stands in line to get into the Australian War Memorial ahead of Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla's visit to Canberra.
Camera IconA royal supporter stands in line to get into the Australian War Memorial ahead of Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla's visit to Canberra. Credit: Mark Baker/AAPIMAGE

Before the royal couple arrived, a group of about two dozen Indigenous protesters started chants outside the Australian War Memorial.

Chanting “always was, always will be Aboriginal land” the group was situated away from where their Majesties eventually appeared.

About two dozen police are on hand to protestors stay in a designated area, away from the several hundred people who have gathered to catch a glimpse of the royals.

More to come...

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