King Charles 'disappointed' at tour reaction after pausing cancer treatment as he breaks tradition
Despite having had a difficult year as they have come to terms with the King’s cancer diagnosis, King Charles and Queen Camilla looked at ease during their tour of Australia and Samoa as they soaked up everything the two countries had to offer.
Any visit to Australia is always recognised for its significance as one of the most important Commonwealth nations. And, if the King’s first trip there since his accession proved anything, it is that he is perceived now, more than ever, as a modern monarch who strives to make it clear that the future of each country lies in the hands of its people. And while the visit Down Under was undoubtedly a huge success, there was one incident that will have left the King feeling "disappointed"
That moment was when Indigenous Australian senator Lidia Thorpe heckled the King after he had finished addressing MPs and senators at Parliament House in Canberra. Although it was a surprise, “interruptions like this on a royal tour are nothing new,” former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond exclusively tells OK!
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“I think the King would have been a bit disappointed that this particular protest was so public and in his face, but I’m sure he wouldn’t have been surprised. There’s no choice, really, he has to sit through protests like this and then get on with the job in hand.”
On whether statements and actions such as these could ever alter the crown’s position in the Commonwealth – or shift the King’s personal feeling – Jennie says, “I don’t think it will affect how Charles or William feel, they will always repeat the view, which I think they sincerely hold, that the future of each country lies entirely with its people.”
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Despite this interruption, there were many heart-warming interactions for the King and Queen throughout the trip - namely a warm hug between the King and the Aboriginal Elder. As well as this, other highlights included celebrating the Sydney Opera House's 50th anniversary, taking over chef duties at a community barbeque and even being sneezed on by an alpaca in the crowd.
After Australia, the royal couple touched down in the Pacific island nation of Samoa to attend the annual Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). There was a warm welcome waiting for the King and Queen as they were treated to an ‘Ava ceremony, which saw them wear ceremonial garlands and drink an Ava drink from a coconut shell.
A passionate advocate for women’s rights and supporting victims of domestic abuse, the Queen delivered an impassioned speech at the CHOGM Women's Forum, using a local proverb which translates to “women can achieve anything”.
Camilla told the audience, "I was delighted recently to come across the wonderful Samoan proverb: E au le Inailau a Tama’ita’i. With apologies to the men in the room, I thought that we might make this our motto today. According to a legend, a competition was once held between men and women in a village to thatch the roof of the house of Chief Tautunu.
"Although they started at the same time, the women finished their side first, as they had laboured through the night, while the men slept. As one whose husband is often toiling into the small hours, long after my head is on the pillow, I should stress there are plenty of exceptions! But the moral of the proverb is: Women will turn their hands successfully to any task that must be done; and will work hard until it is completed."
