Growing up in Germany, Canberra’s world champion athlete Vanessa Low didn’t grow up around the Monarchy.

But on Monday the Paris Paralympic long jump T61 gold medallist, and world-record holder, was a guest at the Their Majesties Parliamentary Reception hosted by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his fiancé, Jodie Haydon.

Low said it was a privilege to be invited to the event.

“It’s really special to think that I play a representative role as an athlete,” she told CW.

“The way that I got involved means I’m part of the bigger society and representatives, so that is really special.”

She said she got to share her experience on competing at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

“I was also selected to shake hands with Camilla,” Low said.

She said it was interesting to be part of the day because the monarchy was not part of the German life.

“It was so nice to see how excited Australia gets,” she said.

“Germany hasn’t had a monarchy in a very long time, so I don’t think anyone (there) really grew up around that principle.”

Low was at Parliament House’s Great Hall for the King, Mr Albanese and Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton’s addresses.

Other guests at the reception included former prime minister John Howard and his wife Janette, former prime minister Tony Abbott, former deputy prime minister Julie Bishop, horse trainer Gai Waterhouse, mining executive Andrew Forrest, Linfox founder Lindsay Fox and Olympic kayaker and gold medallist Jess Fox, and Australians of the Year, Professors Georgina Long and Richard Scolyer.

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