About 4,000 people gathered at the Australian War Memorial on 21 October to catch a glimpse of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

The King and Queen travelled directly from the Defence Establishment Fairbairn after spending a few days in Sydney since touching down in Australia on Friday evening, 18 October.

Anti-monarchy protestors could be heard as the media gathered waiting for the arrival of the King and Queen at the AWM on Monday.

Meanwhile, the cheers of the crowds waiting outside the memorial echoed through the area, eagerly awaiting the royal couple’s arrival.

The royals arrived at the memorial with Camilla wearing a white dress, and a diamond and pearl brooch worn previously by Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother. While the King wore a blue suit with medals pinned to his chest on the left.

The royal couple were greeted by Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General, and His Excellency Mr Simeon Beckett SC upon arriving at the AWM and were joined by other guests.

The royal couple made their way through the War Memorial, walking on either side of the Pool of Reflection, to the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier, where they laid a wreath and floral tribute in the Hall of Memory.

The King and Queen laid a wreath in front of the tomb before the Last Post could be heard from outside the tomb. This was followed by a minute’s silence by all.

The Royals were escorted out of the tomb to place a poppy on the Roll of Honour – The King’s poppy was placed next to World War I soldier Punch WJ, while the Queen’s was placed next to Johnson WJ.

The couple made their way down the stairs to a table that was placed at the end of the Pool of Reflection to sign before exiting the memorial to greet members of the public on the way to the For Our Country Memorial.

Their Majesties last visited the Australian War Memorial for the Remembrance Day Ceremony in 2015.

Aunty Lorraine Hatton OAM, the first Indigenous female member of the Council of the AWM, said they were honoured Their Majesties chose to visit For Our Country and to learn about Australia’s proud Indigenous military service.

“Their acknowledgment is significant, especially for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, many of whom were forced to hide their Indigenous heritage last century in order to serve their country,” Aunty Lorraine said.

AWM director Matt Anderson said: “The King and Queen’s visit is a powerful reminder of the value they attach to the service of Australia’s military and peace-keeping personnel across many decades and of the Memorial’s mission to lead remembrance and understanding of the wartime experience of all Australians.”

Following on, hundreds of well-wishers welcomed them at Parliament House.

Governor-General Sam Mostyn, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton were on hand for the official welcome, ahead of a parliamentary reception in the Great Hall. 

On arrival, the King received a 21-gun salute, a Royal Salute and inspected the Royal Guard of Honour, accompanied by the Royal Guard Commander and His Majesty’s Australian Equerry.

The parliamentary reception was disrupted by a protest over Indigenous rights by Victorian independent senator Lidia Thorpe.

Thorpe strode up the central aisle of the Great Hall of Parliament House after the King’s address to an official reception to tell him she did not accept his sovereignty.

“You are not our king … Give us our land back … You destroyed our land … We want treaty,” Senator Thorpe could be heard shouting as she was escorted away.

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