Last February, this royal tour seemed unlikely… Charles III announced that he was suffering from cancer and would have to undergo treatment. But combative and determined, the king maintained her agenda, and left London to travel the more than 15,000 kilometers that separate it from Australia. But his schedule was lightened, visits too early or too late were avoided. There, accompanied by Queen Camilla, he met residents and made numerous public appearances between Sydney and Canberra. A royal tour which was well attended but which did not move the crowds as much as that of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in October 2018. Royal journalist for the site 9honey.com.auNatalie Oliveri deciphers for Gala the reception received by the couple in Australia, compares in particular this royal tour to that of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018 and evokes the future with a possible (and highly anticipated) arrival of Kate Middleton and of Prince William in Oceania.
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Gala: What were the highlights of Charles III and Camilla’s visit to Australia?
Natalie Oliveri: The royal couple began their tour by announcing a surprise public event at a church on Sunday, during which they shook hands and spoke to as many people in the crowd as possible, setting the tone for what has been a visit engaging and welcoming, showing the king happy and relaxed. The King’s speech to the Federal Parliament in Canberra was very moving. The last public event hosted by the King and Queen in Australia took place at the Sydney Opera House: it was a spectacular end to the royal visit, as around 10,000 people were in attendance. Finally, the King and Queen attended a community barbecue in Parramatta, in Sydney’s western suburbs (about 30 minutes from the city centre), which was a special moment for the region.
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Gala: Can we talk about a successful royal tour in your opinion?
NO : King Charles’ visit was a historic moment for the country, as it was the first time a reigning king had visited Australia. Charles’ visit to Australia opened a new chapter for the British royal family and our country. King Charles was greeted with cheers from the crowd and “God Save the King”, while Queen Camilla was also warmly welcomed by Australians. Overall, King Charles and Queen Camilla had a successful and popular royal tour.
Gala: You who had the chance to shake the king’s hand, did you find him tired, diminished by illness?
NO : The schedule was much less busy than usual royal visits, due to the king’s age and his cancer treatment, which was interrupted during visits to Australia and Samoa. New Zealand was originally supposed to be part of the itinerary, but it was removed due to time constraints and the king’s medical needs. There were fewer official engagements and there were no evening events to allow the King and Queen to rest.
However, even if the schedule was less busy than usual, these three days were incredibly busy. The King and Queen had around 30 engagements or events over three days. Some doubted the visit could go ahead due to the King’s cancer diagnosis and treatment, but His Majesty showed determination and dedication in traveling the long distance to visit Australia and its people. It is true that the king seemed tired at times, but that is normal for a man of his age, for the distance he has traveled and for the number of events in which he has participated.
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Gala: What reception was given to Queen Camilla?
NO : Queen Camilla was warmly welcomed by the Australians and many people in the crowd were eager to shake Her Majesty’s hand and take a photo with her. The late Diana, Princess of Wales, was extremely popular with Australians – she still is – and I was curious to see how Australians would react to Camilla now that she is Queen [elle s’était déjà rendue en Australie avec Charles en 2012, 2015 et 2018]. Camilla was very popular with the crowd and many people shouted her name to try to get her attention. Just like the king, she appeared a little tired and sometimes a little overwhelmed by the crowd. But she also seemed genuinely touched by the love Australians had for her and did her best to return that affection by shaking their hands and smiling at them.
Gala: In 2018, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle caused a sensation in Australia. Can we compare the two visits?
NO : The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were the last members of the British royal family to visit Australia and their tour was much longer and much busier than that of the King and Queen. Harry and Meghan’s tour coincided with the Invictus Games in Sydney and saw the couple attend events in several states and cities, over 16 days. They also visited New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga.
Before the visit, some in the community doubted whether the King and Queen would attend public events as many as Harry and Meghan, but during meetings with Their Majesties, thousands were in attendance. The King and Queen’s visit was very popular with Australians, but overall it was smaller and less frenetic than that of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, very tactile in Australia
© BEST_IMAGE Harry and Meghan Markle in Sydney in October 2018
Gala : According to Rebecca English you Daily Mail“Charles III plans “full program” of foreign tours next year”. Do you think this project is realistic? Aren’t we instead waiting for Kate Middleton and Prince William for a big royal tour?
NO : I think it’s a positive sign for the king’s health that he has been allowed to travel to Australia now and it’s an even more positive sign that he plans to travel more next year. But I think now is the time for the next generation to come to Australia. The visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children will, I hope, be the British royal family’s next major tour of Australia.
Of course, Prince William and Catherine will only be able to do this when her health allows her to travel long distances and meet the demands of a royal tour. There is no doubt that Australians would love to host the Wales family, as it has been far too long since Prince William and Kate visited Australia – ten years, in fact. It was in 2014 that Prince William and Kate, accompanied by a baby, Prince George, took a tour. The King and Queen’s tour of Australia has boosted the monarchy’s popularity and if the Prince and Princess of Wales, along with their three children, come to Australia next year, they would virtually guarantee Australia’s connection and the British royal family for many years to come.
Photo credits: bestimage
