King Charles' first full day on Australian tour - from poignant act to impromptu walkabout and anti-monarchy protest

King Charles was joined by the Queen as they were met with loud cheers from the hundreds of well-wishers gathered as they arrived at St Thomas’ Anglican Church in North Sydney

King Charles has spoken of his joy at landing in Australia to “renew a love of this country and its people which I have cherished for so long”.

On the first full day of their visit Down Under, Charles undertook his first major ceremonial duty - and an impromptu royal walkabout - in Australia today as he visited the New South Wales Legislative Council to mark its bicentenary.

The passing of time was clearly on the King’s mind as he remarked on the ‘slightly worrying’ fact that he first came to the country nearly sixty years ago.

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Looking chipper despite the long journey Down Under, however, he also appeared delighted to hand over a gift of an hourglass to the mark the occasion, and spoke of his joy at returning as King having last visited the NSW parliamentary building in 1974, saying: "With the sands of time encouraging brevity, it just remains for me to say what a great joy it is 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. So, thank you, thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen for making me feel so very welcome."

He then asked the President of the Legislative Council, The Honourable Ben Franklin, if he could give the hourglass a spin for the good luck.

Earlier in the day Charles was joined by the Queen as they were met with loud cheers from the hundreds of well-wishers gathered as they arrived at St Thomas’ Anglican Church in North Sydney on Sunday morning. The couple spoke to primary school-aged children from the Thomas’ Sunday school group who were brimming with enthusiasm to meet Their Majesties’.

They had patiently waited for over an hour and when officials started arriving one boy excitedly shouted: “Are they here?!”

At the conclusion of the hour-long service, the King and Queen were wished safe travels for the rest of their trip before they made their way to the front where they signed Australia’s first Bible and a book of common prayer. Every member of the Royal Family has signed that Bible, which belonged to Rev Richard Johnson, the first Christian Minister in Australia, on previous royal visits.

The late Queen Elizabeth signed it in 1954 during the first visit of a reigning monarch to these shores, with the Archbishop saying the Bible “represents a significant history of this church and nation”.

Using his own fountain pen the King, possibly feeling the same effects of jet lag after flying into Australia on Friday evening; signed the Bible before turning to ask: “What day is it again?”

Dozens of well-wishes handed gifts to Their Majesties, including Tunnock’s Tea Cakes, Kangaroo jerky and bouquets of flowers. The Queen has requested all of the flowers be taken to Admiralty House, where they are staying while in Sydney.

Abigail Smith, 10, in her Scouts uniform, gave the King a special present. She said: "I drew a picture of a kangaroo and gave it to him. He said ‘you are very kind’. I did it because the kangaroo is an Australian animal. I think he liked it.”

Lisa Knezevic, 43, of Sydney, said: “I want to let him know how we appreciate he made the really big trip. I’m just excited and grateful he has made the journey and so I’ve come to support him.”

Sheffield-born Ryan Gilpin, 33, has lived in Sydney for the last eleven years, said: “I’ve been waiting 33 years for this moment because I just love the King and the Royal Family.”

A small group of anti-monarchy protesters were at the first engagement around 100 metres away with a banner reading Empire Built on Genocide. Separately nine men and women, who said they were not part of a named group, held a banner reading Decolonise.

One of them held a Palestine and Lebanon flag. Another, called Lizzy Jarrett, wore an Abolish the Monarchy t-shirt with Queen Elizabeth's face. She said the group was there to protest against British rule and return of Aboriginal land.

The protest acted as a visual reminder of the republic debate simmering in Australia, but the protestors were outnumbered heavily by those who had come to greet the King and Queen.

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