All eyes on Royal review
Thousands of spectators lined the harbour around Garden Island, cheering and waving as the monarch sailed past. Those manning the rails of HMA Ships cheered ship and yelled ‘hooray’.
CAPTION: Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla with, from left, Governor-General of Australia, Sam Mostyn, Chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston, and Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, on board the Admiral Hudson. Story. y Corporal Jacob Joseph. Photo by Leading Seaman Lucinda Allanson.
On the last day of their first royal visit, Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla took part in a fleet review on October 22 in Sydney.
They boarded one of Navy’s VIP vessels, the Admiral Hudson, from the Sydney Opera House after a busy schedule of activities.
For the crew of Admiral Hudson, preparations started early that morning.
After thorough detailing, catering preparations, systems and security checks, the vessel sailed to begin the event.
After the Chief of Defence Force Admiral David Johnston, Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond and Governor-General of Australia Sam Mostyn embarked, the Admiral Hudson moved to the Man O’War Steps next to the Opera House to pick up the King and Queen.
The King’s Flag for Australia was unfurled at the vessel’s stern. The flag was introduced this year and flown for the first time during the monarch’s inaugural royal visit.
It features the six quarters of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms and Tudor Crown of the monarch.
Officer in Charge of the VIP Boat Squadron Petty Officer Boatswain James Rollo took the boat on a slow journey along Farm Cove, past thousands of onlookers keen to catch a glimpse, before heading past Garden Island and Navy vessels anchored in the harbour.
The monarch moved past HMA Ships Warramunga, Hobart, Gascoyne, Yarra and Arunta before a flyover from MH-60R-Seahawk helicopters and Air Force F-35s, FA-18 and E/A-18s.
“It was a fantastic opportunity to represent the ADF and the country,” Petty Officer Rollo said.
“No doubt, for the crew and I, as well as the other personnel involved, it was a fantastic and special occasion.”
The King and Queen’s visit to Australia, from October 18-23, marked the first visit from a reigning monarch since 2011.
During their visit, Their Majesties visited the Australian War Memorial and Parliament House in Canberra before heading to Sydney for the fleet review and flyover.
They departed Australia on October 23 for the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa.
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