Elizabeth Kenny went royal spotting on her birthday and was rewarded with a brief meeting with King Charles that left her shaking. Magali Latchoumanin and her daughter Sunny traveled 15 hours to be part of history by attending an event with the King in Australia. A small group of protesters gathered outside the church where the royal event took place, holding up a banner that said DECOLONISE and exchanging barbs with royal supporters. The Sydney Anglican Archdiocese has split with the Church of England over conservative Sydney’s view that the Britons are not orthodox enough.
Raffel criticized the Church of England earlier this year for allowing blessings of same-sex couples, calling it a “grievous abrogation of its responsibility to uphold the primacy of scripture.” At Parliament House, MPs were starstruck by King Charles as he popped into a lunch for the 200th birthday of the Legislative Council, gifting them an hourglass and making a joke about his age. MPs from both sides of politics described the event as memorable, with even Greens MPs attending despite being pro-republic.
King Charles was greeted by well-wishers outside parliament, with Sasha Barrass, 13, noting his firm handshake and kindness in response to greetings from her family. After completing royal duties with Governor-General Sam Mostyn, the royal couple’s schedule included visits to parliament and the War Memorial in Canberra before traveling to Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Despite a short visit, the royal couple’s trip to Australia was seen as a special occasion by many MPs and attendees.
Overall, the royal visit to Australia was met with excitement and admiration from well-wishers, MPs, and attendees at various events. The King’s brief interactions with individuals and groups, as well as his official duties, made for a memorable experience for all involved. The presence of protesters highlighting issues of decolonization added a layer of complexity to the event, showcasing differing perspectives on the monarchy and its role in Australia. Despite controversies and differing views among religious and political groups, the King’s visit was seen as a rare and special occasion by many who were in attendance.
