The itinerary for King Charles and Queen Camilla‘s upcoming visit to Australia in October 2024 has officially been released.
His and Her Majesties will arrive in Canberra on Friday October 18 and will be welcomed to Parliament House by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
While in Canberra, Charles and Camilla will attend a reception for political and community leaders as well as Australians who have excelled in the fields of health, arts, culture and sport.
The King and Queen will also pay their respects at the Australian War Memorial.
Furthermore, they will visit the Australian National Botanic Gardens and, while there, will meet with staff and volunteers to discuss the global impacts of climate change.
Charles will then visit CSIRO where scientists will share their work on dealing with the impact of bushfires in Australia, while Camilla will participate in a discussion on family and domestic violence, and meet representatives from GIVIT.
The royal couple will also travel to Sydney. While in Sydney, Charles and Camilla will conduct a Fleet Review of the Royal Australian Navy and attend a community BBQ celebrating Australia’s cultural diversity and showcasing quality produce from across New South Wales.
Charles will then meet Australians of the Year Professor Georgina Long AO and Professor Richard Scolyer AO to learn about their ground-breaking cancer research before meeting with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives and groups to learn about their work in supporting local community and strengthening culture.
Camilla will visit a library and meet children participating in a Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition workshop.
The entire trip will take place from Friday October 18 to Tuesday October 22; it’s a short trip as His Majesty is still recovering from cancer and its arduous treatment.
The news that the King and Queen would briefly visit Australia in 2024 was first confirmed by Buckingham Palace on July 14, with a written statement and new portraits of Charles and Camilla, in which he wears The Sovereign’s Badge of the Order of Australia and she wears the late Queen Elizabeth’s Wattle Brooch.
“The King’s doctors have advised that such an extended program should be avoided at this time, to prioritise His Majesty’s continued recovery,” the palace’s statement read.
After their trip to Australia, Charles and Camilla will then head to Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting – a quick stop in New Zealand is just not on the cards.
“In close consultation with the Australian and New Zealand Prime Ministers, and with due regard for the pressures of time and logistics, it has therefore been agreed to limit the visit to Samoa and Australia only,” the palace explained.
It’s long been rumoured that Charles and Camilla would visit Australia this year.
Mr Albanese shared on March 3 that Charles and Camilla are “always welcome in Australia” and confirmed at the time that he was working with them to lock in a “possible royal visit.”
“The King has shown his compassion for Australians affected by recent natural disasters, just as Australians have shown compassion and support for the King following his cancer diagnosis,” Mr Albanese said.
“The King, Queen and members of the royal family are always welcome in Australia. My Government is engaging with States and Territories on options for a possible royal visit,” he continued.
Furthermore, The Australian reported in January 2024 that a government spokesperson said, “The Prime Minister enjoys a warm relationship with the King and looks forward to welcoming His Majesty to Australia later this year.”
The upcoming visit will mark Charles’ first as King since his coronation on May 6, 2023 and his 16th official visit to Australia overall.
Charles last came to Australia, along with Camilla, in 2018 when they officially opened the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
