Canberran Daniel Slater will play a special role when King Charles and Queen Camilla visit Canberra.
Mr Slater, a Gunner in the Australian Army Reserve, will take part in a 21-gun salute for the royal couple at Parliament House on Monday 21 October.
He said it was a big honour to be involved in the Royal visit.
“They’re our commander in chief of the defence force so it’s a big honour to do that,” Mr Slater said.
“And to potentially meet or see him on the day will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Mr Slater said the 21-gun salute dated back to the 14th century.
“When ships used to fire off their broadside cannons before they went past a warship, it was to say they could be trusted,” he said.
“And also, if they got into a port to give the all clear that they can be trusted to come in.
“Today, it has continued on as a mark of respect for dignitaries when they come – so the king or the head of state receives the 21-gun salute.”
He also took part in the salute when Sam Mostyn was sworn in as the 28th Governor-General of Australia at Parliament House on 1 July 2024, as well as on Australia Day this year.
Mr Slater is a drone pilot operator in the 23rd Battery of the 9th Regiment in the Australian Army Reserves. He has been a reservist for four years.
He is also a volunteer at Canberra’s Australian War Memorial.
His grandmother, Lorraine Regan, will travel from Young in NSW, to hopefully catch a glimpse of Charles and Camilla.
This won’t be the first time she has seen a royal in the flesh.
Ms Regan was just 14 years old when she saw Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in Bathurst on 12 February 1954.
“I think we went on the train in our school uniforms. We were at a big oval and they just sort of went up and down,” she said.
“All the schools were there. We were lined up there for ages before they came.
“They were standing up in a Land Rover type thing and drove around, so we all got to wave.”
1954 also marked the first year the Queen visited Canberra, which became her most visited Australian city.
Ms Regan, a lifelong fan of the royals, said the Queen “looked beautiful” on the day.
For her daughter, Kelly Slater, her most memorable royal moment was the death of Princess Diana on 31 August 1997.
“I can still remember exactly where I was,” she said.
“I was at Orange (in NSW) playing netball in a semi-final.
“At half time, they said she’s been in a car accident.
“We came off at full time and they said she was deceased. It was horrific.”
The King and Queen are set to arrive in Australia in Sydney on Friday 18 October.
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