Today’s the big day: King Charles will touch down in Australia for the first time since taking the throne back in May 2023. This marks the 75-year-old monarch’s 17th trip Down Under, with his first dating back to 1966 when he was just 17 years old.
King Charles and Queen Camilla will arrive in Sydney on the evening of Friday, October 18, with public appearances in both Canberra and Sydney over the next few days. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming Royal visit.
When is King Charles in Australia?
King Charles arrives in Sydney on Friday, October 18, and is here until Wednesday, October 23. His major public engagements are at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on Monday, October 21 and at the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday, October 22.
Where is King Charles going in Australia?
King Charles’ Australian tour has been scaled back due to his ongoing cancer treatment. While his previous 16 visits have seen him visit every Australian state and territory, the 2024 tour will only include visits to Canberra and Sydney. After Australia, the King and Queen will head to Samoa and attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
How to see King Charles in Australia?
The first public event will take place at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on Monday, October 21, where King Charles and Queen Camilla will greet crowds as they arrive at 12.35pm. Heads up: you’ll need to arrive no later than 11.45am to secure a viewing spot. Here, they’ll visit the For Our Country Memorial, before heading to the Parliament House for private formalities at 1pm. Those eager to catch a glimpse should arrive at Parliament House no later than 12.10pm, with their departure scheduled at 2.10pm.
Sydneysiders are invited to meet the King and Queen at the Sydney Opera House forecourt on Tuesday, 22 October. The event kicks off at 4.20pm, with entry points to the Sydney Opera House precinct opening from 3pm.
While Their Majesties are at the Opera House, there will be a “Fleet Review” on Sydney Harbour, including an Australian Defence Force fly-over. Those eager for a second glimpse of the Royals at the Man O’War Steps at 4.20pm should secure a place along Sydney Harbour foreshore by 3.50pm. Prime vantage points include Royal Botanic Gardens, Farm Cove and Mrs Macquarie's Chair.
What else will King Charles and Queen Camilla do in Australia?
In Canberra, King Charles will tour the National Botanic Gardens and meet with CSIRO scientists studying the impact of bushfires. Meanwhile, Queen Camilla will meet family and domestic violence advocates from GIVIT, an organisation that helps distribute donations to various charities.
In Sydney, the King and Queen will attend an invite-only, NSW Premier-hosted community barbecue in Parramatta, which is apparently all about celebrating regional NSW’s produce and showcasing the cultural diversity of modern Australia. The King will also meet Australians of the Year, Professor Georgina Long AO and Professor Richard Scolyer AO, to hear about their world-leading cancer research and treatment. Meanwhile, the Queen will visit a Sydney library and meet authors, students and award-winners of the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition.