Charles and Camilla’s Visit to Australia, Days Two and Three

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall spent the second day of their visit to Australia in Canberra, the country’s capital, yesterday where they marked Remembrance Day at the Australian War Memorial.

The couple did not let the rain bother them as they attended the official remembrance service, laid a wreath on the Stone of Remembrance and placed poppies in the Wall of Remembrance.

Afterwards, Prince Charles paid a visit to the National Museum of Australia where he was shown around the Encounters exhibition that showcases Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander culture. The Duchess meanwhile stopped by the French Black Truffles farm.

In the afternoon, Charles and Camilla planted two Pin Oak trees at the National Arboretum. “Maybe it will help them grow,” the Prince said of the rainy weather. Local school students were on hand to show the royal visitors some of the plants that are growing at the arboretum.

Meetings with the Prime Minister of Australia, Malcolm Turnbull, concluded the day’s events.

Earlier today, the Prince and the Duchess flew back to Sydney and met with the New South Wales Mounted Police division at their mews. The pair then split for individual engagements – Charles participating in a roundtable meeting hosted by the Macquarie Group on the topic of “psychological recovery after community disaster”, and met with first-responders who have worked on recent disasters.

The Duchess meanwhile dropped by the OzHarvest headquarters. The organisation collects surplus food from food providers, preventing millions of kilos going to waste, and distributes it to vulnerable members of the community across the country. Camilla was given a tour of the warehouse facilities and met with teenagers that are part of OzHarvest’s Nourish program, a “hospitality and training program for disadvantaged youth”. She also took a turn at making some pastry.

We were very lucky today to be visited by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall! https://t.co/0J760XAs3T #royalvisitaustralia pic.twitter.com/Jpj12gLQp8

— OzHarvest (@OzHarvest) November 12, 2015

It was then on to Martin Place for a walkabout, and thousands of Sydney locals turned out eager catch a glimpse of Charles and Camilla, who spent some time shaking hands and chatting. A reception at Government House followed, which included a traditional ‘Welcome to Country’ ceremony led by an Aboriginal elder.

Later in the afternoon, the Duchess of Cornwall – as the Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Corps of Military Police, visited the Victoria Barracks to mark the corps’ 100th anniversary. She met with members of the corps, cut a birthday cake (with a ceremonial sword – the Duchess has been given ample access to sharp objects this tour!) and posed for photographs. The Duchess also spoke of her admiration for the corps’ red berets – one of the berets she has been presented on a previous visit has caused “mayhem” amongst her grandchildren.

A dinner is being held this evening at Admiralty House by Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove in honour of the visitors. Among the guests are former Prime Minister John Howard and the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup, Michelle Payne.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall with the Governor-General of Australia and his wife ahead of a dinner at Admiralty House

Filed under The United Kingdom
Tagged Agriculture, Australia, Exhibition, Governor-General Cosgrove of Australia, Military, Museum, Official Visit, Prime Minister Turnbull of Australia, Remembrance Day, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Prince of Wales, Veterans.