Charles and Camilla give cooks a hand by flipping sausages in Sydney

King Charles III and Queen Camilla flipped sausages on a barbeque as they joined locals in a park for a taste of Sydney suburban life – but stopped short of trying one.

The royal couple gave chefs a hand tending the snags – or sausages – grilling on the barbeque, as their Australia tour continued in New South Wales‘ blistering sunshine.

The King was handed some tongs and clicked them in anticipation and the Queen did the same before they set about making sure the ‘top tucker’ cooked evenly.

Charles was looking after the vegetarian option while his wife did the beef bangers as a crowd watched during the Premier’s Community Barbeque at Parramatta Park.

The King and Queen had earlier been welcomed to the park with a traditional smoking ceremony, and it was hoped they would try a traditional ‘sanger’ sandwich.

They also spoke to Surf Life Saving personnel, who were cooking sausages for the food stalls – providing guests with different interpretations of the sausage sandwich.

Restaurant manager Scott McCoy, 42, was looking after the ‘sausage sizzle’ barbeque and said it was an ‘honour’ to have some royal helpers.

Known by his nickname Chop, he added: ‘They said the sausages were amazing, they didn’t try them but they could see.’

The 42-year-old who manages the BlackBear BBQ restaurant in Sydney said: ‘It’s amazing they’re here helping us to cook.’

In a speech to the guests, Charles said: ‘… I am so delighted to be here, in Parramatta – an excellent choice for a community barbeque, since Parramatta was a place where First Nations people from around the region also came together for generations to meet and to trade food.

‘It is a particular delight to see and smell all the ‘top tucker’ here today, from Western Sydney’s vibrant and diverse community.’

He added: ‘As we are happily rediscovering today, New South Wales farmers continue to produce truly outstanding food and wine.

‘It is no wonder, I think, that Sydney is world famous for its cuisine, whether it’s smashed avo, a pav, or a Cab Sav and that is what I hope has been on display!’

Speaking ahead of their visit, restauranteur Jad Nehmetallah had been preparing traditional ‘barbie’ fare as well as lamb sausage with smoked labneh, zhoug, herbs, pickled onions and sumac on freshly baked pitta bread.

He told the Daily Telegraph in Sydney: ‘It’s very culturally diverse here in Parramatta and for us to be able to showcase something off our menu, it is quite humbling.’

The couple were hosted on the trip by South Wales Premier Chris Minns and his wife Anna, as well as Deputy Premier Prue Car and her husband Brad Hulls.

Their Majesties met community leaders, volunteers and charity representatives against a colourful backdrop of musical performances, with the trip aiming to celebrate the cultural diversity of Australia.

Their Majesties were greeted with a smoking ceremony and didgeridoo player, conducted by Peta Strachan of Darug land (the Aboriginal land of Parramatta) and Matthew Doyle.

The King and Queen were also invited to participate in creating an Art Mandala, a collection of natural treasures from the parklands.

There was also a Nature Crown demonstration taking place, with school students crafting headpieces from leaves, flowers and other natural materials.

At the produce stalls, the King and Queen spoke to regional farmers and producers who were at the event to show-off their organic and sustainable produce.

Before moving to the stage, the King and Queen were also introduced to a group of Australians who had been recognised for their contributions to the community.

Greater Western Sydney is said to have one of the most diverse cultural communities in the world, with almost half of its residents born outside of Australia.

In addition, more than half of its households speak a language other than, or in addition to, English at home.