The King and Queen are visiting Canberra this Monday - here's where to catch them

King Charles III will grace Canberra on Monday (21 October) for the first time as head of state, accompanied by Queen Camilla.

It’s also the first royal tour since 2011 when the late Queen Elizabeth II travelled to Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth.

Here’s everything you need to know about the forthcoming visit.

Why is it happening now?

The royal tour has been on the cards ever since Charles, aged 75, ascended to the throne after the death of his mother on 8 September 2022.

But plans were thrown into doubt in February 2024 when Buckingham Palace announced the monarch was beginning treatment for an unspecified type of cancer. A tumour was discovered during a procedure for an enlarged prostate the month before.

In July, the palace confirmed both the King and Queen would embark on a tour in mid-October for the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa.

This would also include several days in Australia (NSW and the ACT).

The duration has been limited for the sake of the King’s health.

“The King’s doctors have advised that a further extension to their majesties’ trip should be avoided at this time to prioritise His Majesty’s continued recovery,” the palace said in July.

What will they be doing here?

Details were scarce to start with for security reasons, but the palace confirmed some of the itinerary last week.

Their Majesties fly into Sydney on Friday, 18 October, where they’ll spend the first couple of days.

They arrive in Canberra on Monday, 21 October, for a packed schedule, including a formal welcome by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

The palace says the royal couple will then “address a reception attended by political and community leaders, and prominent Australians who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in a variety of fields, including health, arts, culture and sports”.

They will also “pay their respects to the fallen, laying a wreath at the Australian War Memorial and visiting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander memorial, ‘For Our Country’”.

The King will then visit CSIRO to meet firefighters and learn more about the centre’s work to combat bushfires, while the Queen will meet representatives from GIVIT, of which she is patron.

Their Majesties will tour the National Botanic Gardens, where they will “learn about Indigenous plant use” and “hear from staff and volunteers about how climate change is affecting biodiversity”.

Returning to Sydney on Tuesday, the King and Queen will be treated to a community BBQ in Western Sydney, “sampling a range of produce from across NSW, experiencing the cultural diversity of Australian communities and meeting local residents”.

They fly out on Wednesday.

Where can I see them?

There are two opportunities for members of the public to meet Their Majesties while they’re here.

The first is from 12:35 pm when the royal couple makes their way to the ‘For Our Country’ memorial on the Australian War Memorial’s western grounds.

It’s recommended you be in place at the War Memorial no later than 11:45 am to avoid road closures and allow for security screening.

From 1 pm, you’ll then be able to catch a glimpse of Their Majesties during a ceremonial welcome in front of Parliament House.

This will be followed by an opportunity to meet them on the Parliament House forecourt from 2:10 pm.

As before, you’re encouraged to be in place no later than 12:10 pm to avoid road closures and allow for possible security screening.

Visit the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet for more information.

*Correction: This article originally referred to Queen Consort Camilla, not Queen Camilla. Region apologises for this error.