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Privacy NoticeKing Charles had a surprising encounter with an unexpected creature during his visit to Australia today, leaving him in ‘disbelief’ when he was sneezed on. Both Charles and Queen Camilla were in Canberra as part of their Australian tour, where they participated in a solemn ceremony at the Australian War Memorial. Inside the memorial’s Hall of Memory, Charles laid a wreath at the foot of the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier, accompanied by a floral posy placed by Camilla. However, after the poignant service, the Royal couple stepped outside to be greeted by hundreds of well-wishers. Charles was left in “disbelief” when a suit-and-crown-clad alpaca named Hephner sneezed on him as he went to say hello. The nine year old alpaca caused quite a stir when he sneezed loudly as Charles stroked his nose, prompting laughter and a “bless you” from Charles.
The King met an alpaca called Hephner while greeting crowds in Canberra
(Image: PA)
Thousands turned out to greet the King and Queen, waving flags and banners. Among the crowd was Robert Fletcher, who brought along Hephner, dressed in a gold crown and suit complete with a gold bow tie for the occasion. Robert from Goulburn, New South Wales, who considers his alpaca a support animal for charities and nursing homes, was thrilled while anticipating Charles’s visit, professing: “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”, reports the Mirror. “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.” Upon meeting, Robert introduced his alpaca to Charles, but the friendly exchange was humorously interrupted as Hephner let out a loud sneeze just as the King patted him. Robert recounted with a chuckle, “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.” The sneezing incident occurred during a walkabout at the war memorial, just before an Aboriginal senator accused the monarchy of “genocide” against her nation’s indigenous people and declared: “You are not my king”. Lidia Thorpe, who campaigns on First Nations issues, disrupted Charles’s welcome to the capital Canberra with her outburst which overshadowed a speech by the King highlighting his debt to the descendants of Australia’s first inhabitants.
King Charles and Queen Camilla at the Australian War Memorial
(Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)
Ms Thorpe caused a stir as she confrnted the King and Queen, exclaiming: “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.” Additionally, as she was being escorted out, Ms Thorpe could be heard shouting “not my King” and “f**k the colony”. During the commotion, the Royal couple remained composed, engaging with others nearby while orchestra music filled the air. Security swiftly handled the situation, leading her away within 30 seconds. It is understood the King was unruffled and did not let the outburst overshadow what the royal party viewed as a positive day in the Australian capital. The King and Queen proceeded to greet the public waiting outside the parliament, however, to the disappointment of the royal fans who had been waiting; the walkabout lasted shy of 10 minutes. 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. The source said: “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.”Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnKing Charles IIICharles and CamillaQueen CamillaRoyal Family
