King Charles and Queen Camilla’s six-day tour of Australia has begun which will include meetings with several political and community leaders and celebrate the nation’s people, culture and heritage.
This is Charles’ 17th visit to Australia and will only visit Sydney and Canberra.
The royal tour of Australia will be the biggest trip Charles has experienced since his cancer treatment.
This is also the King’s first visit to the country since becoming head of state. He and his wife met many well-wishers and royal fans.
As part of his tour of Australia, the King will take part in a smoking ceremony which is an ancient custom among Aboriginal tribes.
This ceremony recognized and celebrated Australia’s indigenous communities, making Charles the first monarch to be involved in such a ceremony.
The smoking ceremony involves burning a number of native plants which produce smoke and are said to ward off evil spirits and have a cleansing mechanism.
It also helps improve the welfare of the community and guests and is seen as a welcome to people from other countries.
The traditional event will involve Charles and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community taking place in Sydney this week.
Charles had previously witnessed this traditional ceremony in 2018, but this was the first time he had attended the ceremony.
Certain leaves are heated during this ceremony including Eremophila longifolia. Previous research found these leaves produce smoke when heated which has antimicrobial effects.
The ceremony will be one of many celebrating Australia’s indigenous communities.
Charles and Camilla will also visit a war memorial dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People entitled For Our Country.
The king will also meet with representatives and community groups from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to learn more about their efforts to “strengthen culture”.
Charles reportedly wants to highlight the struggles of Aboriginal people as part of his government’s new era.
Charles and Camilla’s visit to Australia is also seen as significant for the country, the monarchy and those seeking an alternative constitutional path.
In 2021, there were approximately 983,700 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, representing 3.8 percent of Australia’s total population.
