British King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s long-awaited first official trip abroad since their coronation began with some unexpected difficulties.
This Friday, the couple landed in Sydney, Australia, in the midst of a severe thunderstorm that put a slight damper on the official reception.
Night had already fallen when they arrived, and the weather, far from being favorable, did not allow the arrival to shine as planned.
Queen Camilla, always attentive to detail, managed to stand out despite the bad weather. One of the most significant moments of her arrival was when a diamond brooch, a jewel that belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II, could be seen.
This gesture was interpreted as a tribute to his mother-in-law, and also to the bond she maintained with Australia.
Queen Camilla and King Charles in Australia
Charles and Camilla’s arrival was anything but glamorous. Separated by a few feet, the two descended from the plane with some difficulty, due to the wet stairs and the need to carry umbrellas.
Charles, however, kept his closed, while Camilla, a little more cautiously, used a large transparent umbrella to protect herself from the heavy rain.
Despite the conditions, the couple was greeted by a line of dignitaries, including Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
After the protocol greetings, a child, who was fulfilling a dream of meeting the monarchs, presented Queen Camilla with a bouquet of flowers before the two made their way to the Admiralty House, where they will stay during their stay in Sydney.
Queen Camilla’s brooch in Australia
Although the weather was less than ideal, Queen Camilla’s look did manage to stand out. She wore an elegant blue silk crepe dress, true to her usual style.
But what really caught the eye was the diamond brooch she wore, a jewel with a special history.
The brooch, which depicts an acacia branch, was a gift from the Australian people to Elizabeth II in 1954, during one of her visits to the country.
Designed by jeweler Paul Schneller, it is composed of yellow and blue diamonds, with a large white diamond in the center symbolizing the tea tree flower.
Elizabeth II wore it on numerous occasions during her visits to Australia, and now Camilla follows in her footsteps, showing her respect and admiration for her mother-in-law and the relationship she maintained with this nation.
A trip marked by the health of King Charles
Although public attention was on Camilla’s stormy arrival and symbolic brooch, the concern surrounding Charles III’s health cannot be ignored.
In order to make this important trip, the king had to pause his cancer treatment to participate in this historic visit.
After an exhausting day, the King and Queen finally met with the Prime Minister for tea at Admiralty House, before retiring to rest and recover from the long flight.