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Some were wearing crowns, many held signs reading ‘My King’ or ‘We Love You Charles’ and one lady even brought her pet cat.
And all had a common goal – to catch glimpse of King Charles and Queen Camilla as they undertook a mass meet and greet at the iconic Sydney Opera House.
Police estimated 10,000 well-wishers thronged into the area – more than three times the expected estimate – waiting for four or five hours for Their Majesties to arrive.
Even the sight of their official convoy received loud cheers as it sped past, but the real roars were saved for when the couple appeared as tiny specks over the top of the landmark, just below the ‘sails’.
Posing for that favoured tourist snap, with Sydney Harbour Bridge as a stunning backdrop, they signed the official visitors’ book and met performers including British actress Joanna Lumley, who by coincidence has a show at the Opera House.
But they were clearly keen to get downstairs as soon as possible and say thank you to those members of the public who have welcomed them so warmly on their six-day visit to Australia, Charles’ first as king.
The monarch gallantly held his arm out for his wife to hold as they climbed carefully down to massive cheers, occasionally waving as they did.
One royal fan told the King: ‘We would like to have you longer.’ Then Charles replied cheekily, with his hand covering his face: ‘The doctors won’t let me.’
But it comes after the King was confronted earlier on for a second day by First Nations activists questioning the supremacy of the British monarchy in Australia.
Outside the Opera House today, Simon Perdriau, 32, from Sydney handed the King a piece of timber made from Australia blackwood and cedar from his Highgrove home.
The King is greeted by British actress Dame Joanna Lumley at Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
Queen Camilla meets royal well-wishers during a visit to the Sydney Opera House today
The King and Queen pose for a photo with students at the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III greets a woman during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
Queen Camilla meets royal well-wishers during a visit to the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
King Charles III waves to the crowds outside the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
King Charles III greets spectators at the Sydney Opera House today during the Australia tour
Thousands of people line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the King
King Charles III and Queen Camilla walk down the steps at the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
Children react after meeting King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
Thousands of people line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the King
King Charles III and Queen Camilla pose for a photo in front of Sydney Harbour Bridge today
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
Royal Australian Navy Fleet helicopters perform a flypast over the Sydney Opera House today
Queen Camilla meets the gathered spectators as she visits the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III greets spectators at the Sydney Opera House today during the Australia tour
People react as King Charles III and Queen Camilla visit the Sydney Opera House today
Queen Camilla meets the gathered spectators as she visits the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
Queen Camilla meets the gathered spectators as she visits the Sydney Opera House today
Mr Perdriau said: ‘He was very pleased he said thank you so much as asked about the course I did at Highgrove.’
The King apologised to some of the crowd for them having to wait in the sun for several hours. One said: Everything was worth it to see you.’
Charles was handed a kangaroo teddy bear and Australian flags, while Camilla – wearing a Fiona Clare white silk crepe dress with black piping and a military brooch – gathered armfuls of flowers as the crowd sang ‘God Save The King’ and gave them three cheers.
Mila Gros Calica, 71, flew in from Philippines to see the King and kissed him on the hand. She said: ‘I love him so much. I will pray for him every day.’
Five-year-old Louie McGee-Scannell wore a crown and cloak and got to shake hands with Charles.
It was a lovely way to round off an extraordinarily successful royal tour which, aside from yesterday’s outburst in Canberra, has gone better than even Buckingham Palace could have imagined, with acres of positive coverage in the Australian press.
Earlier the couple had headed to Parramatta Park for a traditional Aussie community barbeque, welcomed by scorching sunshine and a didgeridoo.
They made their way over to the coals where several different varieties of sausage were sizzling and were encouraged to flip over some ‘snags’ – slang for sausages – with tongs.
As they walked though the country fare-style event, sporting his and hers sunglasses, they stopped at a sheepdog display where Charles sympathised with rancher Murray Wilkinson, whose Australian kelpie Colt, five, struggled to round up a small flock of merino sheep because the press were in the way.
Queen Camilla meets royal well-wishers during a visit to the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
The King and Queen pose for a photo with students at the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
King Charles III and Queen Camilla watch children perform at the Sydney Opera House today
Children perform for King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III and Queen Camilla view the crowds at the Sydney Opera House today
Queen Camilla meets royal well-wishers during a visit to the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III and Queen Camilla walk down the steps at the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
Children react after meeting King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Sydney Opera House today
Queen Camilla meets royal well-wishers during a visit to the Sydney Opera House today
Thousands of people line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the King
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
Queen Camilla and Chief of the Defence Force, Admiral David Johnston, inspect a guard today
The King and Queen pose for a photo with students at the Sydney Opera House today
Queen Camilla meets royal well-wishers during a visit to the Sydney Opera House today
Thousands of people line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the King
The King and Queen arrive at the Sydney Opera House today as their tour continues
Queen Camilla and Chief of the Defence Force, Admiral David Johnston, inspect a guard today
Queen Camilla meets royal well-wishers during a visit to the Sydney Opera House today
Royal fans line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the King
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
People react as King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive at the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
King Charles III and Australia Governor General Sam Mostyn inspect a guard in Sydney today
No doubt longing for his own dog to control the ever-present media, the King laughed and said: ‘Too many people!’
In a short speech before he left Charles described the feast as ‘top tucker’, only slightly stumbling over his words. The audience laughed as he said with typical Aussie informality: ‘Hang on, I picked up two pages of this bloody thing!’
The Queen was also presented with a ‘Nature Crown’ made from leaves and flowers, which she gamely put on and her husband declared as ‘beautiful’.
The King’s day had started with a visit to the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence where he was reminded of the incident involving notorious firebrand senator, Lidia Thorpe, the previous day when she targeted him at the Australian Parliament accusing the monarchy of ‘Aboriginal genocide’, screaming obscenities and saying he was not her king.
Greeting him with a traditional smoking ceremony, Uncle Allan Murray said: ‘Welcome to country. We’ve got stories to tell and I think you witnessed that story yesterday in Canberra but the story is unwavering and we’ve got a long way to achieve what we want to achieve and that’s our own sovereignty. But welcome to Gadigal land.’
Also today, the King got a huge hug from Uncle James Michael ‘Widdy’ Welsh, 72, who was taken from his family in Coonamble when he was just eight years old. They embraced at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Sydney
After the visit, which saw the King entertained with traditional dancing, Uncle Allan explained his feelings, saying: ‘The Union Jack was put on our land without our consent. We have been ignored. We can’t rest on our laurels. We are a sovereign people. ‘
Asked whether he blamed the king, he said: ‘It was his family that goes back to 1770. I think he listened to what I said.’
Avoiding direct questions about Thorpe’s protest he said: ‘I think if we are polite we get the message out.’
Mr Murray said he felt ‘mixed emotions’ on greeting the King. ‘I think sovereignty is the question,’ he said. ‘I think we’ve been here for a long time. And we’re not seeing that recognition.’
But Uncle Harry Allie, 81, who met with the King privately, described it as an ‘honour’ and said of Thorpe: ‘There’s a time and place. I think the King was welcome here and for us to be up close and personal, was a great honour. ‘
And the King got a huge hug from Uncle James Michael ‘Widdy’ Welsh, 72, who was taken from his family in Coonamble when he was just eight years old and placed in a boys home with only a number not a name – 36.
Hundreds of children were taken away from Indigenous families over four decades, a scandal that still haunts Australia today.
Describing himself as one of the ‘stolen generation’ he told how the king had put his arm out to shake hands.
‘I said to him ‘I’m not much of a hand shaker, I’m more of a hugger or cuddler’. he said ‘hugs are good’. So I went in for the hug and he gave me one back.
‘A hit is a way of connecting with someone’s aura. He made me feel comfortable, it was really good. I welcomed him there and let him know.
‘I had a really good feeling about him. I got the feeling he is somebody who genuinely cares. ‘
On another engagement during a packed penultimate day, the King’s decision to go public with his cancer diagnosis was described as ‘courageous’ by two world-leading melanoma specialists.
Charles visited the Melanoma Institute Australia in Sydney to learn about its pioneering treatment of skin cancer hosted by its co-medical directors Professor Georgina Long and Professor Richard Scolyer, named Australians of the year 2024 in recognition of their pivotal work.
In January, Charles spent three nights in hospital for a procedure on an enlarged prostate, during which time his cancer – not affecting his prostate – was discovered.
After the major health development was announced on February 6, the King postponed all public-facing engagement for a period before returning to royal duties and is coming to the end of his first official overseas trip since the diagnosis.
Professor Scoyler, one of the world’s leading melanoma pathologists, said: ‘It’s courageous of the King to go public with his cancer journey.
‘Everyone’s different about how they feel about a cancer diagnosis. Some people are happy to go public with it, but it’s not the same for all patients, and I think we should respect that.
‘But for us, what we’ve been talking with the King about today is melanoma and the incredible advances that we’ve made here.’
Professor Long’s pioneering research in using the body’s immune system to attack cancer cells has been applied to treat Professor Scolyer, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour but a scan earlier this year showed no recurrence of the cancer.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla wave to the crowds at the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
Queen Camilla meets royal well-wishers during a visit to the Sydney Opera House today
The King and Queen pose for a photo with students at the Sydney Opera House today
Queen Camilla meets royal well-wishers during a visit to the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III and Queen Camilla pose for a photo in front of Sydney Harbour Bridge today
Royal Australian Navy Fleet helicopters perform a flypast over the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
King Charles III greets spectators at the Sydney Opera House today during the Australia tour
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
King Charles III and Queen Camilla walk down the steps at the Sydney Opera House today
Children react after meeting King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Sydney Opera House today
The King and Queen pose for a photo with students at the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III and Queen Camilla pose for a photo in front of Sydney Harbour Bridge today
Queen Camilla meets royal well-wishers during a visit to the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
King Charles III greets spectators at the Sydney Opera House today during the Australia tour
Queen Camilla meets royal well-wishers during a visit to the Sydney Opera House today
The King and Queen greet royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
King Charles III during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
Thousands of people line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the King
Queen Camilla meet members of a guard formed outside Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
Queen Camilla and Chief of the Defence Force, Admiral David Johnston, inspect a guard today
Queen Camilla meets royal well-wishers during a visit to the Sydney Opera House today
The King and Queen with New South Wales Premier Chris Minns and his wife Anna today
The King and Queen greet royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
Queen Camilla meets royal well-wishers during a visit to the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III and Queen Camilla walk down the steps at the Sydney Opera House today
Queen Camilla meets royal well-wishers during a visit to the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III and Queen Camilla pose for a photo in front of Sydney Harbour Bridge today
King Charles III inspects a guard outside Sydney Opera House this afternoon
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
The King and Queen greet royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
King Charles III and Queen Camilla walk down the steps at the Sydney Opera House today
Thousands of people line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the King
Queen Camilla meets royal well-wishers during a visit to the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III inspects a guard outside Sydney Opera House this afternoon
A helicopter flies with a giant Australian flag over Sydney Harbour this afternoon
An armed police presence on the roof of the Sydney Opera House during the royal tour today
Charles has suspended his cancer treatment while away from the UK and Professor Long said: ‘This is a common discussion I have with patients, and my view, and that of my colleagues, is that we are here for quality of life, and so you squeeze things in, you make it happen for people.
‘That’s what our goal at the Melanoma Institute Australia is. So it’s very reasonable to fit things in if you’re feeling well enough. But what’s really fantastic is the King’s well enough to come and be with us today.’
On their final engagement of the day the King and Queen were given two caps featuring the acronyms HMTK and HMTQ – His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen – as they bid farewell to Australian military officials.
After a long day where temperatures had reached 25C (77F), the Queen was also seen to take her shoes off and carry them as she walked up the steps to spend a final night at Admiralty House, the official residence of the Governor General.
But before saying goodbye, the King and Queen carried out a fleet review of five ships within Sydney Harbour.
After visiting the crowds at the Sydney Opera House, the royals were greeted at the Man O’ War Steps by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Her Excellency The Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, the Chief of the Defence Force, Admiral David Johnston AC RAN.
A Guard comprising selected members of Their Majesties’ affiliated units, the 1st Armoured Regiment and the Royal Australian Corps of Military Police, gave a Royal Salute to signify the start of the engagement. The King and Queen then proceeded through the Guard to the Admiral Hudson yacht.
A ceremonial piping party ‘Piped the Still’ and Their Majesties embarked onto the Admiral Hudson yacht where they were greeted by the Chief of Navy – Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AO RAN. A ‘Carry On’ was then sounded by a bugler as the Admiral Hudson departed its berth and spectators on shore shouted ‘God save the King’.
The King and Queen pose for a photo with students at the Sydney Opera House today
The King and Queen greet royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
King Charles III and Queen Camilla greet spectators at the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
Military helicopters fly past the Sydney Opera House for King Charles III’s visit this afternoon
The King is greeted by British actress Dame Joanna Lumley at Sydney Opera House today
Thousands of people line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the King
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
King Charles III inspects a guard outside Sydney Opera House this afternoon
Queen Camilla meets royal well-wishers during a visit to the Sydney Opera House today
The King and Queen pose for a photo with students at the Sydney Opera House today
Queen Camilla meets royal well-wishers during a visit to the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
Queen Camilla meets royal well-wishers during a visit to the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III inspects a guard outside Sydney Opera House this afternoon
King Charles III and Queen Camilla pose for a group photo at the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III and Queen Camilla greet spectators at the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
Queen Camilla meets royal well-wishers during a visit to the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
King Charles III and Queen Camilla walk down the steps at the Sydney Opera House today
The King and Queen with New South Wales Premier Chris Minns and his wife Anna today
King Charles III inspects a guard outside Sydney Opera House this afternoon
A view through a person’s phone as King Charles III and Queen Camilla greet people today
Queen Camilla meets royal well-wishers during a visit to the Sydney Opera House today
Thousands of people line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the King
King Charles III and Queen Camilla walk down the steps at the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III inspects a guard outside Sydney Opera House this afternoon
Queen Camilla meets royal well-wishers during a visit to the Sydney Opera House today
The King and Queen pose for a photo with students at the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III and Queen Camilla pose for a photo in front of Sydney Harbour Bridge today
Queen Camilla meets royal well-wishers during a visit to the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
King Charles III during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
The King and Queen with New South Wales Premier Chris Minns and his wife Anna today
Thousands of people line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the King
The motorcade with King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrives at Sydney Opera House today
Thousands of people line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the King
Queen Camilla and Chief of the Defence Force, Admiral David Johnston, inspect a guard today
King Charles III and Queen Camilla pose for a photo in front of Sydney Harbour Bridge today
Thousands of people line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the King
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
King Charles III inspects a guard outside Sydney Opera House this afternoon
Queen Camilla meets royal well-wishers during a visit to the Sydney Opera House today
Children prepare to welcome King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
The King and Queen pose for a photo with students at the Sydney Opera House today
Queen Camilla meets royal well-wishers during a visit to the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
Their Majesties’ yacht went round Sydney Harbour with the King and Queen waving to spectators and passengers on other small boats. It then sailed past HMAS ships Warramunga, Hobart, Gascoyne, Yarra and Arunta.
As they passed each ship, the King and Queen received a ‘cheer ship’, where the crew on board took off their hats and gave a ‘hip hip hooray’ for the King.
After sailing past all five ships, the King and Queen disembarked at Admiralty House Wharf to watch a flypast.
Helicopters, including Seahawk Romeos and Blackhawks from the Australian Army were the first to fly overhead. These were followed by fast jets with aircraft including F-35, F/A-18 and EA-18.
They were then given the baseball caps as gifts before heading up the steps to Admiralty House.
The caps will go with another honour given to Her Majesty – The Order of the Teaspoon, which she was given on a visit to a restaurant where she helped serve professional chef-standard food to vulnerable customers.
The Queen sprinkled herbs and edible flowers on lunch at Refettorio OzHarvest in Sydney, which rescues food that would otherwise be thrown away to create dishes for those in need.
She called it a ‘wonderful idea’ and was told by founder Ronni Khan that the cafe was designed ‘not just to feed the belly but to feed the soul’.
Ms Khan also offered Camilla a brooch in the shape of a teaspoon with a crown on it as a sign of their esteem.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla pose for a photo in front of Sydney Harbour Bridge today
King Charles III inspects a guard outside Sydney Opera House this afternoon
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
The King and Queen pose for a photo with students at the Sydney Opera House today
Thousands of people line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the King
Queen Camilla meets royal well-wishers during a visit to the Sydney Opera House today
Thousands of people line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the King
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
King Charles III inspects a guard outside Sydney Opera House this afternoon
The King and Queen pose for a photo with students at the Sydney Opera House today
Queen Camilla meets royal well-wishers during a visit to the Sydney Opera House today
Thousands of people line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the King
King Charles III waves to the crowds outside the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
Thousands of people line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the King
A helicopter flies with a giant Australian flag over Sydney Harbour this afternoon
The King and Queen greet royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
The King and Queen greet royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
Thousands of people line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the King
King Charles III and Queen Camilla pose for a group photo at the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
Queen Camilla meets royal well-wishers during a visit to the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III and Queen Camilla pose for a group photo at the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III and Camilla inspects a guard outside Sydney Opera House this afternoon
The King and Queen with New South Wales Premier Chris Minns and his wife Anna today
King Charles III and Australia Governor General Sam Mostyn inspect a guard in Sydney today
King Charles III and Queen Camilla pose for a photo in front of Sydney Harbour Bridge today
King Charles III and Australia Governor General Sam Mostyn inspect a guard in Sydney today
The King and Queen pose for a photo with students at the Sydney Opera House today
Thousands of people line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the King
An armed police presence on the roof of the Sydney Opera House during the royal tour today
Thousands of people line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the King
The King and Queen greet royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
Queen Camilla meets royal well-wishers during a visit to the Sydney Opera House today
Queen Camilla meets royal well-wishers during a visit to the Sydney Opera House today
Thousands of people line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the King
King Charles III meets Sydney Opera House acting chief executive Kya Blondin this afternoon
King Charles III inspects a guard outside Sydney Opera House this afternoon
The King and Queen pose for a photo with students at the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III inspects a guard outside Sydney Opera House this afternoon
King Charles III and Queen Camilla pose for a photo in front of Sydney Harbour Bridge today
The King is greeted by British actress Dame Joanna Lumley at Sydney Opera House today
The King and Queen greet royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
The King and Queen greet royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
An armed police presence on the roof of the Sydney Opera House during the royal tour today
The King is greeted by British actress Dame Joanna Lumley at Sydney Opera House today
Thousands of people line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the King
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
Thousands of people line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the King
King Charles III inspects a guard outside Sydney Opera House this afternoon
School students perform a dance at the Sydney Opera House for the King and Queen today
Thousands of people line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the King
King Charles III and Queen Camilla look at the crowds at the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
People prepare to welcome King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Sydney Opera House today
The King and Queen with New South Wales Premier Chris Minns and his wife Anna today
The King is greeted by British actress Dame Joanna Lumley at Sydney Opera House today
Thousands of people line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the King
In another development today, the King launched an Australian version of his King’s Foundation charity.
Charles unveiled the plans for The King’s Foundation Australia at a special reception at Admiralty House in Sydney.
The charity’s first project will be as the custodian of the Hillview Estate in Sutton Forest, New South Wales, working to restore the historic property and its surrounding land.
The state-heritage listed former summer residence of the governor of New South Wales will serve as The King’s Foundation Australia’s permanent base and be developed as a ‘landmark cultural hub’, the charity said.
Thousands of people line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the King
King Charles III inspects a guard outside Sydney Opera House this afternoon
Thousands of people line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the King
King Charles III and Queen Camilla pose for a photo in front of Sydney Harbour Bridge today
The King and Queen pose for a photo with students at the Sydney Opera House today
The King and Queen greet royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
Thousands of people line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the King
King Charles III inspects a guard outside Sydney Opera House this afternoon
King Charles III and Queen Camilla visit Sydney Opera House today as their tour continues
King Charles III and Queen Camilla pose for a photo in front of Sydney Harbour Bridge today
The King is greeted by British actress Dame Joanna Lumley at Sydney Opera House today
Thousands of people line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the royals
Military helicopters fly past the Sydney Opera House for King Charles III’s visit this afternoon
People prepare to welcome King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Sydney Opera House today
Thousands of people line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the King
An armed police presence on the roof of the Sydney Opera House during the royal tour today
The King and Queen greet royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
King Charles III greets royal fans during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
The King and Queen with New South Wales Premier Chris Minns and his wife Anna today
King Charles III is greeted by Opera Australia singer Jin Tea Kim at Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III inspects a guard outside Sydney Opera House this afternoon
King Charles III and Queen Camilla pose for a photo in front of Sydney Harbour Bridge today
Natalie and her dog Bigglesworth outside Sydney Opera House before the King’s visit today
Inspiration has been taken from the regeneration of Dumfries House – an 18th century mansion in Ayrshire, Scotland, which now acts as The King’s Foundation’s headquarters after it was saved for the nation in 2007 by a consortium led by Charles as the Prince of Wales.
The King set up his original foundation, previously called The Prince’s Foundation, to train the next generation of skilled craftspeople – including in building, carpentry, fashion and textiles – in heritage techniques essential to many traditional industries.
Practical education and training programmes in traditional and heritage craft will also be developed at Hillview.
Kristina Murrin, the Australian-born chief executive of The King’s Foundation, said the new foundation was a sign of Charles’s affection for Australia.
The King is carrying out his first royal tour to the country as its monarch, but his inaugural visit hit the headlines on Monday when Australian senator Lidia Thorpe heckled Charles after his speech in Canberra, accusing him of ‘genocide’ against her nation’s Indigenous people.
Ms Murrin said: ‘Establishing a permanent presence for The King’s Foundation here is testament to His Majesty’s affection for Australia and commitment to extending the reach of the sustainable communities work undertaken by The King’s Foundation elsewhere in the world.
‘Dumfries House has been transformative for the local community and has pioneered nature-based learning for young people and adults alike, as well as placing traditional skills at the heart of the practical education courses offered across the estate.
The King is greeted by British actress Dame Joanna Lumley at Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III and Queen Camilla pose for a group photo at the Sydney Opera House today
Thousands of people line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the King
King Charles III during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
King Charles III during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
King Charles III and Australia Governor General Sam Mostyn inspect a guard in Sydney today
King Charles III inspects a guard outside Sydney Opera House this afternoon
People prepare to welcome King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Sydney Opera House today
An armed police presence on the roof of the Sydney Opera House during the royal tour today
Royal fans prepare to welcome King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the Opera House today
King Charles III and Queen Camilla pose for a photo in front of Sydney Harbour Bridge today
Thousands of people line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the King
King Charles III shakes hands today with Anna Minns, the wife of NSW Premier Chris Minns
King Charles III during a visit to the Sydney Opera House this afternoon
King Charles III inspects a guard outside Sydney Opera House this afternoon
An armed police presence on the roof of the Sydney Opera House during the royal tour today
People prepare to welcome King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Sydney Opera House today
The King is greeted by British actress Dame Joanna Lumley at Sydney Opera House today
‘It is an exciting prospect to have the opportunity to apply what we have learnt since Dumfries House was saved for the nation in 2007 to the Hillview Estate.’
Dominic Richards, chairman of The King’s Foundation Australia, said: ‘His Majesty’s vision of a world in harmony with nature is more relevant now than ever.
‘As an Australian who personally benefited from The King’s Foundation’s education programmes 30 years ago, I am excited to see this work extend its transformative approach to communities in Australia.
‘Following the model established by His Majesty at Dumfries House, we hope to create a similar positive impact by providing employment and educational opportunities.’
Hillview came on to the market – with a long-term government leasehold – for the first time in 24 years in December 2023, with a guide price of 7.5 million Australian dollars (£3.8 million), according to the Australian Financial Review (AFR).
The foundation said the charity has signed a long-term lease and the property remains in the ownership of the New South Wales government.
The 1870s-built residence at Old Illawarra Highway, Sutton Forest, was previously known as ‘Prospect’.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla walk up the steps at the Sydney Opera House today
King Charles III inspects a guard outside Sydney Opera House this afternoon
Thousands of people line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the King
King Charles III and Queen Camilla pose for a photo in front of Sydney Harbour Bridge today
People prepare to welcome King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Sydney Opera House today
Natalie and her dog Bigglesworth outside Sydney Opera House before the King’s visit today
People prepare to welcome King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Sydney Opera House today
An armed police presence on the roof of the Sydney Opera House during the royal tour today
King Charles III inspects a guard outside Sydney Opera House this afternoon
The King and Queen with New South Wales Premier Chris Minns and his wife Anna today
Thousands of people line the forecourt at the Sydney Opera House today to see the King
An armed police presence on the roof of the Sydney Opera House during the royal tour today
It is ‘the most exclusive’ highland estate and was a vice-regal summer retreat for 16 consecutive NSW governors between 1882 and 1957, offering them ‘a place to escape the Sydney summer’, the AFR said.
The NSW government’s Heritage Register listed the house – which had 38 habitable rooms including 27 bedrooms – and its 60-hectare estate as of ‘exceptional significance to the people of New South Wales as the former country home of the governors of New South Wales’ for 75 years.
The government sold it in 1958 to eccentric builder and land developer Edwin Klein, who relandscaped the gardens, often at night, working by torchlight, but left the house mostly untouched.
He later gifted Hillview back to the government on the condition that he was given tenancy for the rest of his life.
It was later run as a boutique hotel and wedding venue.
The King’s Foundation Australia will build on existing sustainable community projects carried out by Charles’s charities in the country over the years.
Tomorrow, the King and Queen will formally say farewell to Australia at Sydney airport, before heading off to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa.
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