Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive in Canberra. A busy day, with plenty of Meet and Greet opportunities

ACT Government

King Charles the III and Queen Camilla, 2024

by Tony Magee

October 21, 1:00pm

Watching on television this morning (October 21, 2024), the plane touched down at Fairbairn Airport, Canberra at 11:00am.

There was a greeting with dignitaries on the tarmac.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla receive flowers after arriving at Defence Establishment Fairbairn in Canberra 

(Photo: Saeed Kahn / Hello Magazine)

Thousands of Canberrans were there to cheer them.

The royal couple were whisked away in a limousine for a wreath laying ceremony at the Australian War memorial at 11:30am.

A meet and greet followed at 12 midday. My friend Mathias Mustillo was in the front row and shook hands with His Majesty King Charles.

My friend Mathias Mustillo shaking hands with King Charles at the Australian War Memorial, 

October 21, 2024. (Photo courtesy Mathias Mustillo)

Next engagement is at Parliament House with a ceremonial welcome at 1pm, then entering the Marble Foyer to be welcomed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

An event in the Great Hall will be held after that.

A meet and greet on the forecourt of Parliament House will follow from 2:10 pm.

King Charles and Queen Camilla greet crowds in Canberra, October 21, 2024 (Photo courtesy Hello Magazine)

This will be followed by Charles and Camilla visiting the CSIRO to catch up on the latest scientific research.

There is no planned opportunity for a meet and greet at this event.

And finally, the royal couple will walk through the Botanic Gardens, with a meet and greet opportunity from 4:45pm.

Their Majesties walked through the Rainforest Gully at the Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra. 

(Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman)

With multiple road closures, the suggested mode of travel for the Canberra public to all meet and greet events is a Shuttle Bus service, departing the City interchange every 15 minutes.

These are all free of charge.

So, a busy schedule for Charles and Camilla in Canberra today, as was also the case in Sydney yesterday.