The King and Queen arrived to a tumultuous welcome in the Australian capital today, with thousands turning out to see them.
But they almost had their thunder stolen by an impeccably-dressed alpaca.
The animal, named Hephner, was among the crowds waiting to greet them at an Australian war memorial and sported a shirt and waistcoat with a bow tie – and even a gold crown perched on top of his woolly head.
The King, a keen farmer, was apparently left in ‘disbelief’ after Hephner 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.
Huge crowds turned out to greet the King and Queen – with fans waving flags and banners.
The throng included Robert Fletcher brought his alpaca – named Hephner as his mother was called Playgirl – on its lead to meet the King.
The animal, named Hephner, was among the crowds waiting to greet them at an Australian war memorial and sported a shirt and waistcoat with a bow tie – and even a gold crown perched on top of his woolly head
Nine-year-old Hephner spectacularly fluffed his lines when he was introduced to the King outside the Australian War Memorial
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.’
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’.
The royal couple received huge cheers as they walked 200 metres from the Australian War Memorial Council Member and Australian Army Veteran, ‘Aunty’ Lorraine Hatton.
John Mordes, 21, bunked off work to see the King and Queen.
He said: ‘He asked me if I was off university and I said I should be in work instead.
‘I will go back to work and tell my manager I was on my break.
‘I came down because he is the King and Queen and I don’t know when I will ever see them again.
‘He looks really good and had a firm handshake.’
Wendy Davies, 67 of Melbourne, met Queen Camilla who was wearing
She said: ‘I said welcome to Australia and shook her hand. She is looking beautiful.’
At the end of the walk the couple stood at the For Our Country Memorial where Sub Lieutenant Jordan Bradshaw, an Indigenous serving member of the Australian Defence Force sounded the didgeridoo.
King Charles and Queen Camilla touched down in Canberra on Monday to continue their six-day trip in Australia
Camilla was wearing white silk crepe court dress by Anna Valentine and a diamond and pearl brooch from the late Queen Mother.
The King and Queen used the visit to honour two First World War Australian veterans from opposite ends of society when they visited the Australian War Memorial.
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.
The King stepped forward to place a poppy alongside the name of Private William Punch an Aboriginal Australian tasked with manual work at the front who died in 1917 after being shot.
While the Queen left her flower next to the name of the former Mayor of Auburn, Private William James Johnson, who was aged 44 when he enlisted and was shot and killed at the battle of Pozières.
The King and Queen honoured two First World War Australian veterans from opposite ends of society when they visited the Australian War Memorial.
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
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.
The King stepped forward to place a poppy alongside the name of Private William Punch an Aboriginal Australian tasked with manual work at the front who died in 1917 after being shot.
While the Queen left her flower next to the name of the former Mayor of Auburn, Private William James Johnson, who was aged 44 when he enlisted and was shot and killed at the battle of Pozières.