and were "only sorry" they couldn't greet more wellwishers after a royal walkabout in lasted just minutes following an angry protest.
As the royal couple continued their trip to Australia today, they travelled to Canberra where the King gave a speech at Government House. However, after his speechand approached the stage as dumbfounded MPs and guests stood by, shouting "You are not my King". Yelling at the King and Queen as royal protection officers attempted to lead her out of the building, Senator Lidia Thorpe said: "You committed genocide against our people. Give us our land back, give us back what you stole from us. Our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people.
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"You destroyed our lands, give us a treaty, we want a treaty in the country, you are a genocidalist. This is not your land, this is not your land, you are not my King, you are not our King." She was also heard shouting "not my King" and "f**k the colony" as she was led out. After the incident, a planned walkabout took place outside the Parliament building, where dozens of wellwishers had been waiting in the blazing Canberra sunshine since 8am to catch a glimpse of the King and Queen.
However, the meet and greet only last a few minutes with some left devastated after the royals spent less than 10 minutes saying hello to the crowds. However, a palace source denied it had been cut short due to the commotion inside the chamber and said the schedule had been running 15 minutes over, with Their Majesties sorry they couldn't greet everyone.
They explained: "Their Majesties were deeply touched by seeing and hearing the very many thousands who'd turned out to support them, and are only sorry they didn’t have a chance to stop and talk to every single one. The warmth and scale of the reception was truly awesome. While they are grateful to all the crowds, Their Majesties particularly enjoyed hearing individual stories of those who’d made such a special effort to be there."
A palace source also said about the protestor that the King was 'unruffled' and would "not let it overshadow what has otherwise been a wonderful day".
Earlier in the day the King had been welcomed to Canberra by becoming the first British monarch to take part in an indigenous "smoking ceremony". Charles had envisioned putting Australia's indigenous communities at the heart of his first royal tour since his cancer diagnosis.
After Charles and Camilla left floral tributes in recognition of Australian Defence Force troops who paid the ultimate sacrifice they walked the short distance to the memorial's roll of honour. A tradition has developed among family members of leaving a poppy against the names of their fallen relatives, listed on long walls in the memorial's cloisters.
Outside as Charles and Camilla were greeted by crowds in the hundreds, the King was left in "disbelief" after an alpaca dressed in a crown and suit with a golden bow tie sneezed on him as he went to say hello. Nine-year-old Hephner spectacularly fluffed his lines when he was introduced to the King outside the Australian War Memorial. When the King stroked his nose the animal left off a loud sneeze - provoking laughter.
Thousands turned out to greet the King and Queen - with fans waving flags and banners. The throng included Robert Fletcher bringing the alpaca - named Hephner as his mother was called Playgirl - on its lead to meet the King dressed in a gold crown and suit complete with a gold bow tie for the event.
Robert, of Goulburn, New South Wales, uses his alpaca as a support animal for charities and nursing homes. He said while waiting for Charles: "My wife found the crown and thought it was fitting. I think he loves his crown very much. He has lots of outfits but it’s a special day so he is in a suit and bow tie as well. Hephner has met a few famous people before but this is the King. He wants to meet the King. He doesn’t bite and he doesn’t spit. He’s always on his best behaviour anyway. And he is a pro-monarchy alpaca."
When Charles came close Robert shook his hand and introduced the King to the animal. But as the King gently patted him within seconds the alpaca let out a loud sneeze. Robert said afterwards: "I got to shake his hand and then Hephner sneezed. The King just looked in disbelief. But it’s just who Hephner is. He is an alpaca after all".
