The royal couple entered the hall after signing the Parliament House visitor book in the Marble Foyer and walked in to the sounds of a didgeridoo played by Bevan Smith, a local Indigenous man. They were joined by federal and state members of parliament, eminent Australians and representatives from the King’s charities who assembled for the first event of its kind since Queen Elizabeth II attended a parliamentary reception in the Great Hall in 2011.
The King and Albanese led the official party into the hall, while Queen Camilla was accompanied by Haydon. The procession included the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Milton Dick, and the President of the Senate, Sue Lines.
Those attending the reception included former prime minister John Howard and his wife Janette, former prime minister Tony Abbott, former deputy prime minister Julie Bishop, horse trainer Gai Waterhouse, mining executive Andrew Forrest, Linfox founder Lindsay Fox, and Olympic kayaker and gold medallist Jess Fox.
The two Australians of the Year, Professor Georgina Long and Professor Richard Scolyer, also attended.
Loading
A senior Ngunnawal elder, Aunty Violet, greeted their majesties and guests with a Welcome to Country, and she was joined by the Wiradjuri Echoes, a family-run group that teaches Indigenous dancing and culture. The Australian National Anthem was sung by the Woden Valley Youth Choir in English and Ngunnawal.
In remarks that were televised live, the King paid tribute to the progress Australia had made since his first visit to the country in 1966.
Their majesties walked to the forecourt of Parliament House to greet members of the public before proceeding to other events.
Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.
