More than 4,000 people have turned out under clear blue skies to see King Charles III and Queen Camilla during their visit to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra today.
After paying their respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier with the laying of a wreath and floral tribute, and placing some poppies on the Roll of Honour, Their Majesties greeted members of the public on a walk to the For Our Country memorial. This memorial, located in the Memorial's Sculpture Garden, recognises the military service of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
"We are honoured that Their Majesties chose to visit For Our Country and learn a little about Australia's proud Indigenous military service," said Aunty Lorraine Hatton OAM, the first Indigenous female member of Council of the Australian War Memorial.
"Their acknowledgment is significant, especially for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, many of whom were forced to hide their Indigenous heritage last century in order to serve their country," Aunty Lorraine said.
While on site, Their Majesties walked between two trees with Royal connections - the original Lone Pine tree planted from a pine cone at the Memorial 90 years ago by Prince Henry, the Duke of Gloucester, in October 1934, and a sapling planted by the King's son, Prince William, 10 years ago on Anzac Day 2014, which was propagated from that same tree.
Director of the Australian War Memorial, Matt Anderson, said: "The King and Queen's visit is a powerful reminder of the value they attach to the service of Australia's military and peace-keeping personnel across many decades and of the Memorial's mission to lead remembrance and understanding of the wartime experience of all Australians."
Today's visit to the Memorial was King Charles's first as the reigning monarch. Their Majesties last visited the Memorial in 2015 on Remembrance Day, 11 November.
The galleries will open to the public at 2.00 pm today and the daily Last Post Ceremony will be held in the Commemorative Area at 4.30 pm. Free entry tickets to the Memorial and to the Last Post Ceremony are available online at www.awm.gov.au/visit
