King Charles and Queen Camilla's awkward Princess Diana moment on Australia tour

King Charles and Queen Camilla were handed a Bible to sign during a visit to a church in Sydney, Australia, and the King was heard asking 'What day is it again?'

During their Royal visit to Australia, King Charles and Queen Camilla encountered a slightly awkward moment while signing a church visitors' book. After attending a service in Sydney that marked the start of their tour's events, they were shown Australia's first Bible, which has been autographed by every member of the Royal Family on previous tours.

The Bible, belonging to Rev Richard Johnson, the first Christian Minister in Australia, was also signed by the late Queen Elizabeth during her landmark visit in 1954. As the Archbishop presented the Bible to Charles, he noted that it "represents a significant history of this church and nation".

King Charles, using his fountain pen, added his signature but then appeared to show signs of jet lag after arriving in Sydney on Friday, pausing to ask: "What day is it again?"

Atop the page where Charles penned his name this weekend were the signatures of the late Princess of Wales from their 1983 visit, a trip that marked a crucial point in their ill-fated marriage, with reports suggesting Charles felt eclipsed by Diana's overwhelming popularity with the public.

Following the hour-long service at St Thomas' Church in North Sydney, the Royal pair emerged to the sound of loud cheers from the crowd gathered opposite the church, reports the Scottish Daily Express.

A small group of anti-monarchy protestors were present, waving a large decolonise banner, but their chants were overshadowed by the crowd of Royal supporters. KingCharles was heard telling one person: "It's a beautiful day" amidst cheers of "We love you."

One spectator greeted Camilla with: "Hello, I hope your jet leg is getting better" which sparked a discussion about the challenges of long-haul travel.

"We have it the same when we come to the UK," Helen Hetrelezis told Camilla.

Charles, 75, and Camilla, 77, chatted with primary school-aged children from the Thomas' Sunday school group, who were keen to meet the royals.

The youngsters had been waiting for over an hour, and when officials started to arrive, one boy couldn't contain his excitement, shouting: "Are they here? " Governor-General Sam Mostyn arrived before Charles and Camilla, taking a moment to chat with the children, saying: "What an exciting day for you, I hope you love meeting him, it's a rare treat."

The children nervously waved their Australian flags as the King and Queen made their entrance, but the Royal couple quickly put them at ease with friendly conversation. Camilla, dressed in a pale green Anna Valentine dress and straw hat, received a posy before being welcomed by the Archbishop of Sydney, the Most Reverend Kanishka Raffel, and the Bishop of North Sydney, Right Reverend Chris Edwards.

At the church service, the Archbishop extended a warm greeting to those gathered and mentioned St Thomas' historical connections with the Royal family. Reverend Michael Mantle, Rector of the Parish of North Sydney, officiated the ceremony and gave a special acknowledgement to Royal attendees, enthusing: "It is an enormous honour for us to welcome you to our church this morning."

The service, which carried the joyful theme 'The Good News About Jesus', was filled with uplifting hymns including Rejoice the Lord is King, Tell Out, My Soul, and Love Divine, All Loves Excelling.

In contrast to the festive atmosphere inside, a solitary flautist performed God Save the King throughout the service on the grounds outside. The professional flute player, Minah Kim, confessed she had only picked up the anthem that very morning.

Stationed on the lawn of St Thomas', she used her mobile phone to source the music, practising then and there, eyewitness Anna Usher reported, standing right by her side.

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