The King and Queen arrived in Australia’s capital today to a whirlwind welcome, with thousands turning out to see them.
But their thunder was almost stolen by an impeccably dressed alpaca.
The animal, named Hephner, was among the crowd waiting to greet him at the Australian War Memorial and was wearing a shirt and waistcoat with a bow tie and even a gold crown atop his woolly head.
The king, an avid farmer, was apparently “in disbelief” when Hephner sneezed on him as he tried to say hello.
Nine-year-old Hephner spectacularly messed up his lines when he was presented to the King in front of the Australian War Memorial.
As the king stroked its nose, the animal was interrupted by a loud sneeze, causing laughter.
Huge crowds turned out to greet the king and queen, with fans waving flags and banners.
Among the crowd was Robert Fletcher, who brought his alpaca – named Hephner, after his mother was Playgirl – on a leash to meet the king.
The animal, named Hephner, was among the crowds waiting to be greeted at the Australian War Memorial and was wearing a shirt and waistcoat with a bow tie and even a gold crown atop its woolly head
Nine-year-old Hephner spectacularly messed up his lines when he was presented to the King in front of the Australian War Memorial
Robert, from Goulburn, New South Wales, uses his alpaca as a support animal for charities and care homes.
While waiting for Charles, he said, “My wife found the crown and thought it fit. I think he loves his crown very much.
“He has lots of outfits, but it’s a special day, so he’s also wearing a suit and bow tie.
“Hephner has already met some famous people, but this is the king. He wants to meet the king.
– Does not bite or spit. He’s always on his best behavior anyway.
– And he’s an alpaca who supports the monarchy.
Robert later said: “I had to shake his hand and then Hephner sneezed.
The king just looked on in disbelief.
– But that’s who Hephner is. After all, he is an alpaca.
The royal couple received a huge round of applause as they walked 200 meters from Australian War Memorial Council member and Australian Army veteran ‘Auntie’ Lorraine Hatton.
John Mordes, 21, quit his job to meet the king and queen.
He said: “He asked me if I wasn’t at university, I replied that I should be working instead.
“I’ll go back to work and tell the manager I’m on break.
“I came because he is the king and queen and I don’t know when I will see them again.
“He looks really good and had a strong handshake.”
Wendy Davies, 67, from Melbourne, met Queen Camilla wearing a dress
She said: “I welcomed her to Australia and shook her hand. It looks beautiful.
At the end of the walk, the couple stood at the For Our Country Memorial, where Second Lieutenant Jordan Bradshaw, an Indigenous member of the Australian Defense Force, blew a didgeridoo.
King Charles and Queen Camilla landed in Canberra on Monday to continue their six-day tour of Australia
Camilla wore a white silk crepe court dress by Anna Valentine and a diamond and pearl brooch from the late Queen Mother.
The King and Queen used the visit to honor two Australian World War I veterans from opposite ends of society by visiting the Australian War Memorial.
After Charles and Camilla laid flowers in recognition of the Australian Defense Force soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice, they walked the short distance to the memorial’s roll of honor.
A tradition developed among family members of leaving a poppy under the names of fallen relatives, displayed on the long walls of the monument’s cloisters.
The King stepped forward and placed a poppy next to the name of Private William Punch, an Aboriginal Australian assigned to manual labor at the front who died in 1917 after being shot.
While the Queen left her flower next to the name of the former mayor of Auburn, Private William James Johnson, who was 44 when he enlisted and was shot at the Battle of Pozières.
When the King and Queen visited the Australian War Memorial, they honored two Australian World War I veterans from opposite ends of society.
After Charles and Camilla laid flowers in recognition of the Australian Defense Force soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice, they walked the short distance to the memorial’s roll of honor
After Charles and Camilla laid flowers in recognition of the Australian Defense Force soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice, they walked the short distance to the memorial’s roll of honor.
A tradition developed among family members of leaving a poppy under the names of fallen relatives, displayed on the long walls of the monument’s cloisters.
The King stepped forward and placed a poppy next to the name of Private William Punch, an Aboriginal Australian assigned to manual labor at the front who died in 1917 after being shot.
While the Queen left her flower next to the name of the former mayor of Auburn, Private William James Johnson, who was 44 when he enlisted and was shot at the Battle of Pozières.