King Charles and Queen Camilla given warm welcome at intimate Sunday morning church service in Sydney

King Charles III and Queen Camilla were greeted by warm weather as they made their first public appearance in Australia during an intimate Sunday morning service at St Thomas’ Anglican Church in northern Sydney.

Upon arrival, the royal couple were greeted by crowds that wrapped around the church’s property, hoping to catch a glimpse of them.

As Charles and Camilla made their way to the front of church, children waving Australian flags cheered and shook hands with the couple.

The queen, wearing a pale green Anna Valentine dress and straw hat, was given flowers by the church minister’s wife, Ellie Mantle, as she proceeded into the church.

Once inside, the royal couple were bathed in sunlight that poured through the door and stained glass windows. Dozens of phones pointed in their direction, while excited whispers echoed through the room.

Despite the important guests, Sunday’s service was restricted to the local congregation, with only a few special guests allowed to attend, such as Australia’s Governor-General and the Governor of New South Wales Margaret Beazley.

Bishop Christopher Edwards delivered a prayer, asking for the protection of the king and queen, along with a hope the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa would be prosperous.

He also asked for world peace and an end to wars.

The service also featured serval hymn, prayers and several readings from the Old and New Testaments (Isaiah 52:13-53:12 and Acts 8:26-40).

Finally, the church’s minister Michael Mantle thanked the king and queen for their attendance and said it was an honour to host them.

Sunday’s service was filled with history.

Upon arrival at the church, Charles passed by the corner stone of the church that was unveiled in 1881 by his great-grandfather King George V.

Charles and Camilla also signed two bibles in black pen, including one that belonged to Australia’s first minister, Richard Johnson, who was also the Chaplin on the first fleet.

As the king and queen left the church, they were greeted by hundreds of cheering people, all hoping to catch a glimpse or snap a photo.

Among them were Helen Hetrelezis and her brothers who arrived at the church at 7.45am — almost three hours before the church service. Their efforts paid off and Hetrelezis was granted a few moments with Camilla after church.

“We spoke about her visit, I asked the queen about her stay, she said she was enjoying Sydney very much,” Hetrelezis said.

In an unplanned moment, the king and queen went to greet the crowds on the other side of the church, with police scrambling to ensure they were protected.

Archbishop Kanishka Raffel said it was a “delight” to have the royal couple attend the local service.

“It has been a great pleasure and privilege,” he said. “It was lovely for this local church to welcome the sovereign King Charles and Queen Camilla.

As the royal couple were whisked away in their motorcade, their staff carried dozens of flowers and gifts, while Sydney cheered.

Several hundred people later lined Macquarie Street to watch the King’s arrival at NSW State Parliament.

He stepped out of his black car wearing a beige suit and a pale pink pocket square, and was greeted at the entrance by NSW governor Margaret Beazley and state parliament dignitaries.

He was visiting to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the NSW Legislative Council.

First, he was led by Upper House president Ben Franklin to a new painting in the parliament’s lobby by indigenous artist Kim Healey, which was commissioned to mark the Legislative Council’s bicentenary.

It features the Southern Cross, to guide both indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. It’s the first indigenous artwork in parliament.

The king asked whether it was painted; Franklin answered in the affirmative.

He then moved to the dining room, where the Premier, Chris Minns, the chief justice, Andrew Bell, and parliamentarians were waiting.

Police trumpeters played as he walked into the room. He was introduced as the King of Australia, and as someone shouted, “hooray”, one of the guests laughed.

Many of the parliamentarians held up their phones to photograph him as he walked to the lectern. He spoke to a few as he walked into the room.

The king was introduced by Franklin, who described the monarch’s visit as a privilege.

The King then addressed the gathering. “I am delighted and proud to be able to return to the parliament of NSW, in order to celebrate the occasion of your bicentenary,” he said.

He drew a laugh when he reflected on his visit to the Legislative Council in 1974, and then noted that he “first came to Australia nearly 60 years ago, which was slightly worrying.”

He presented the gift of an hourglass, to time speeches. “With the sounds of time encouraging brevity” - he drew a laugh at that, too - “it just remains for me to say what a great joy it is to come to Australia for the first time as sovereign and to renew a love of this country and its people, which I have cherished for so long.

“Thank you thank you ladies and gentlemen for making me feel so very welcome.”

After departing, he stopped for a moment to greet people in the crowd, shook hands with several of them and thanked them for their good wishes.