The King and Queen arrived in the Australian capital today to a tumultuous reception, attended by thousands of people.
But their thunder was almost stolen by an impeccably dressed alpaca.
The animal, named Hephner, was among the crowd waiting to greet them at an Australian war memorial, wearing a shirt and vest and bow tie – and even a gold crown on its woolly head.
The king, an enthusiastic farmer, was apparently left in ‘disbelief’ after Hephner sneezed on him as he went to say hello.
Nine-year-old Hephner picked out his lines in spectacular fashion as he was introduced to the king outside the Australian War Memorial.
When the king stroked his nose, the animal let out a loud sneeze, which provoked a laugh.
Huge crowds turned out to greet the king and queen, as fans waved flags and banners.
The crowd included Robert Fletcher who brought his alpaca – named Hephner, as his mother Playgirl was called – on a leash to meet the king.
The animal, named Hephner, was among the crowd waiting to greet them at an Australian war memorial, wearing a shirt and vest and bow tie – and even a gold crown on its woolly head.
Nine-year-old Hephner spectacularly picked out his lines as he was introduced to the King outside the Australian War Memorial
Robert from Goulburn, New South Wales, uses his alpaca as a support animal for charities and nursing homes.
While waiting for Charles, he said, “My wife found the crown and thought it was appropriate. I think he loves his crown very much.
“He has a lot of outfits, but it’s a special day, so he’s also wearing a suit and a bow tie.”
‘Hephner has met some famous people, but this is the king. He wants to meet the king.
‘He doesn’t bite and he doesn’t spit. He’s always on his best behavior anyway.
“And he’s a pro-monarchy alpaca.”
Robert said afterwards: ‘I had to shake his hand and then Hephner sneezed.
‘The king just looked in disbelief.
“But it’s just who Hephner is. He’s an alpaca after all.’
The royal couple received huge cheers as they walked 200 meters from Australian War Memorial Council member and Australian Army veteran ‘Aunt’ Lorraine Hatton.
John Mordes, 21, left work to see the king and queen.
He said: ‘He asked me if I wasn’t at university and I said I should go to work instead.
‘I go back to work and tell my manager I was on a break.
“I came down because he’s the king and queen and I don’t know when I’ll ever see them again.
“He looks very good and had a firm handshake.”
Wendy Davies, 67, from Melbourne, met Queen Camilla wearing this dress
She said: ‘I said welcome to Australia and shook her hand. She looks beautiful.’
At the end of the walk, the couple stood at the For Our Country Memorial where Sub-Lieutenant Jordan Bradshaw, an Indigenous serving member of the Australian Defense Force, blew the didgeridoo.
King Charles and Queen Camilla landed in Canberra on Monday to continue their six-day tour of Australia
Camilla wore a white silk crepe court dress from Anna Valentine and a diamond and pearl brooch from the late Queen Mother.
The King and Queen used the visit to honor two Australian World War I veterans from different walks of life when they visited the Australian War Memorial.
After leaving floral tributes in recognition of the Australian Defense Force troops who made the ultimate sacrifice, Charles and Camilla walked the short distance to the memorial’s roll of honour.
A tradition has developed among family members to leave a poppy with the names of their fallen relatives, listed on long walls in the monument’s cloisters.
The king stepped forward to place a poppy next to the name of soldier William Punch, an Aboriginal Australian in charge of manual labor at the front who died in 1917 after being shot.
While the Queen left her flower next to the name of the former Mayor of Auburn, Private William James Johnson, who was 44 years old when he enlisted and was shot and killed at the Battle of Pozières.
The King and Queen honored two Australian World War I veterans from different walks of life when they visited the Australian War Memorial.
After leaving floral tributes in recognition of the Australian Defense Force troops who made the ultimate sacrifice, Charles and Camilla walked the short distance to the memorial’s roll of honour.
After leaving floral tributes in recognition of the Australian Defense Force troops who made the ultimate sacrifice, Charles and Camilla walked the short distance to the memorial’s roll of honour.
A tradition has developed among family members to leave a poppy with the names of their fallen relatives, listed on long walls in the monument’s cloisters.
The king stepped forward to place a poppy next to the name of soldier William Punch, an Aboriginal Australian in charge of manual labor at the front who died in 1917 after being shot.
While the Queen left her flower next to the name of the former Mayor of Auburn, Private William James Johnson, who was 44 years old when he enlisted and was shot and killed at the Battle of Pozières.
