King Charles and Queen Camilla touch down in Australia after gruelling 24-hour journey

King Charles Queen Camilla

KIng Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived in Australia (Image: GETTY)

King Charles and Queen Camilla didn’t let the torrential downpours dampen their spirits as they arrived in Australia on Friday evening as they touched down in Sydney for their six-day royal tour.

The 75-year-old monarch clutched an umbrella as he led the way down the airplane’s steps in slippy conditions, turning to check his wife was ok as she followed tentatively behind. Reassured that she was fine, he walked on to greet the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia Sam Mostyn and her husband, Simeon Beckett.

Just an hour before their plane touched down, the heavens opened, deluging the runway. The heavy downpours only just abated in time for Their Majesties’ arrival.

The couple landed at 8.30pm local time (10.30am UK) on an Australian government plane, which they boarded in Singapore after they flew there commercially.

Camilla’s stunning royal blue silk crepe dress by Fiona Clare was still visible through her clear umbrella, and she wore a sentimental brooch, the Australian wattle brooch - a gift from the Australian people to the late Queen Elizabeth.

King Charles III And Queen Camilla Visit Australia And Samoa - Day One

King Charles appeared to be on high spirits upon his arrival (Image: Getty)

Queen Camilla holding an umbrella

Queen Camilla donned a brooch given to the late Queen Elizabeth by the Australian people (Image: Getty)

Read more: King Charles spotted at Heathrow as he braces for first major test of his reign

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Before departure, Camilla, 77, made a young boy’s wish come true today as he had the honour of gifting a posy to the Queen.

Ky, 12, who had a serious bloody condition, was joined by his sister at the end of the welcoming line. The youngster has severe aplastic anaemia and his wish to meet the King and Queen was granted by the Make a Wish Foundation - a charity that helps fulfil the wishes of seriously ill children.

A number of key Federal and State representatives also formed the official welcome party at Sydney airport, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his fiancee Jodie Haydon.

Queen Camilla and King Charles then travelled some 17 miles to Admiralty House, where they enjoyed a cup of tea with the Prime Minister and his partner.

The lighting up of the iconic Sydney Opera House didn’t quite go to plan, however, as the torrential downpours delayed the departure of a Cunard cruise ship docked in the way of the projector.

The impressive light display was due to begin at 8pm, but it was delayed by over an hour as the cruise ship, called the Queen Elizabeth, blocked the projector until it eventually left the harbour.

King Charles Australia Tour

King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive in Sydney, Australia (Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

King Charles III And Queen Camilla Visit Australia

The King and Queen were welcomed by several officials upon their arrival at the airport (Image: Getty)

Projecting the images is estimated to cost up to £50,000 to run until midnight, and comes after proposals to celebrate the King’s coronation in the same way was dropped by NSW premier Mr Minns, who said it would be too much of a burden on the Australian taxpayer. However, he said the decision to illuminate the landmark to mark the tour was to ensure the King is “warmly welcomed”.

“I’ve made the point previously in relation to the Opera House, when it comes to events that are taking place in Sydney that will be our primary objective,” he said. “The King is coming to Sydney and we obviously want to make sure he is warmly welcomed and that is what we’re going to do.”

The King and Queen’s trip to Australia is their first since the King’s accession, and the first of a reigning monarch since 2011, the late Queen Elizabeth II’s last visit.

Charles’s affections for the country run deep, having spent two terms at Geelong Grammar School and visiting the country 16 times, both whilst serving in the Royal Navy and on official visits.

The tour marks His Majesty’s seventeenth visit to Australia and the Queen’s fourth.

Camilla also has a longstanding relationship with the country, being Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Corps of Military Police, Patron of UK Harvest (connected to OzHarvest) and Patron of Australian charity GIVIT.

The Royal Opera House lit up with images of the King and Queen

The Royal Opera House was lit up with pictures of the King and Queen to mark their arrival to Sydney (Image: Getty)

But the King and Queen’s visit has reignited debates about the monarchy’s role in a modern Australia.

All six of Australia's state premiers, including Mr Minns, have shunned the King's historic visit by saying they would not join a welcome reception in Canberra.

Victoria's Jacinta Allan, South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas and Mr Minns have cabinet meetings to attend, Queensland premier Steven Miles is busy working on his election campaign, Tasmanian premier Jeremy Rockliff is on a US trade mission and Western Australia's premier Roger Cook has other commitments.

The Australian Republican Movement (ARM) has branded the visit as the couple’s “farewell tour”, as they campaign to separate the Commonwealth country from the monarchy.

Retro style satirical posters, T-shirts and beer coasters have been created with Charles, Camilla and Prince William on them, encouraging Australians to “wave goodbye to royal reign”.

King Charles III And Queen Camilla Visit Australia And Samoa - Day One

Queen Camilla donned a blue dress by Fiona Clare (Image: Getty)

They have planned an event on Sunday, which marks the couple’s first day of official engagements.

But recent polling suggested that far from a burgeoning republic movement, the opposite was true as Aussies are now less favour in ditching the monarchy than during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

Australia's PM has previously voiced strong support for the country becoming a republic, saying: “Australia should have an Australian as our head of state.” But he no longer has an appetite to hold a second referendum on the monarchy, despite previously stating an Australian republic is "inevitable" and appointing Matt Thistlethwaite as the country's first-ever minister dedicated to such a mission.

For the Palace, the royal tour is a big showcase for the monarchy and an attempt to quieten the republic movement that has become increasingly vocal in recent years.

It marks the first visit from its head of state since 2011, and the Firm will be looking to exhibit a well and jovial King, in touch with Australia and its needs.

The King and Queen will have a rest day on Saturday to enable them to acclimatise to the punishing time difference, before launching into a jam-packed schedule - with 36 engagements planned.

Australian media had whipped up a frenzy that the couple might make a surprise appearance at the Royal Randwick race course, but this has been ruled out so that the couple can rest from the journey.

On Wednesday, they will travel to Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

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