On this first full day of events of their royal visit to Australia, King Charles and Queen Camilla experienced a special moment, especially Charles. While on official travel, they received Australia’s first Bible, signed by every member of the royal family on previous royal tours.
This historic book belonged to Reverend Richard Johnson. He was Australia’s first Christian minister. The late Queen Elizabeth signed it in 1954. In handing it to Charles III, now king, the archbishop declared that the Bible “represents a significant history of this church and this nation“.
An embarrassing moment for the king
King Charles had to sign this bible, and took out his own fountain pen to do so. At that moment he turned around to ask “What day is it again?“before being able to indicate the date on the Bible, and sign.
Except that Charles had not anticipated that at the top of the page of the prayer book he signed was the signature of the late Princess of Wales, made during their visit in 1983. What’s more, this tour in Australia had marked a turning point in their relationship since Charles had been particularly frustrated by the warm and immense reaction of the public towards his ex-wife, Diana.
King Charles III and Camilla received mixed reception in Australia
King Charles and his wife then headed out, to the cheers of hundreds of people gathered on the lawn in front of the church. However, a small group of anti-monarchy protesters also gathered. They had brought with them a large banner “decolonial“.
Fortunately for the royal couple, this small group was erased by sympathizers. King Charles famously said to one person: “It’s a beautiful day“, while several people shouted : “We love you“.
