King Charles and Queen Camilla land in rainy Sydney for their Australia visit

A 12-year-old boy has been among the dignitaries to welcome King Charles and Queen Camilla to Australia on a historic first visit as reigning monarchs.

Minutes after a drenching downpour at Sydney Airport came to an end, the 75-year-old king stepped onto Australian soil on Friday night for the first time in six years.

The five-day trip is the couple’s first Australian visit since the King ascended to the throne in 2022 and the first by a reigning monarch since his mother Queen Elizabeth’s 2011 tour.

King Charles, who has paused treatment for an undisclosed cancer to travel south, and his queen were first warmly greeted by his Australian representative, Governor-General Sam Mostyn, and her husband Simeon Beckett.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns, staunch republicans, dipped their heads before heartedly shaking the 75-year-old sovereign’s hand.

Mr Albanese’s fiancee Jodie Haylon meanwhile appeared to share a laugh with His Majesty.

But all eyes were on young Ky as the beaming 12-year-old greeted the royals and presented a small bunch of flowers to Queen Camilla.

The moment, fulfilling a request to the Make-a-Wish Foundation, was followed by the pair sharing an extended conversation before the monarchs were whisked away in a motorcade.

While saying nothing publicly before being whisked away, King Charles and Queen Camilla posted a touching personal message on X before touching down.

“Ahead of our first visit to Australia as King and Queen, we are really looking forward to returning to this beautiful country to celebrate the extraordinarily rich cultures and communities that make it so special,” the message read.

“See you there!”

The royals are expected to use Saturday to recover from their long journey from Britain via Singapore.

They will meet privately with the prime minister and his wife at Admiralty House on the banks of Sydney Harbour, prior to formally commencing their Australian tour on Sunday.

The King and Queen’s engagements and travel while in Australia have been pared back considerably in light of the King’s cancer diagnosis in February.

Still, the royals will be kept busy with formal dinners, wreath laying, fleet inspecting and hand-shaking during their five-day tour of Sydney and Canberra.

Members of the public will have multiple chances to glimpse Australia’s new monarch at iconic sites including the Australian War Memorial, federal parliament and the Sydney Opera House.

The Opera House sails are also due to be lit up for the couple’s arrival at Sydney Airport on Friday night before the royal couple take Saturday to recover from their 24-hour journey.

Official duties begin on Sunday, including a church service and a visit from Governor-General Sam Mostyn and NSW Governor Margaret Beazley.

But speculation is building that Royal Randwick could live up to its name and be graced with a discreet appearance from the couple on Saturday for the world’s richest horse race outside the United Arab Emirates, the $20 million Everest.

The pair will travel to Canberra on Monday, where they will lay a wreath at the Australian War Memorial before receiving an official welcome at Parliament House.

The royals will also meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, plant a tree, and tour the botanic gardens.

Fans will be able to see the pair about midday at the For Our Country memorial, which commemorates the military service of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

Sydneysiders will be able to see the King and Queen at the Opera House on Tuesday about 1.30pm WST.