THE KING joked about his age and the length of his speeches as he kicked off his historic tour of Australia.
Charles, 75, described his "great joy" for being in the country and said he is Down Under to "renew a love" of the country and people "I have cherished for so long”.
He undertook his first major ceremonial duty - and an impromptu royal walkabout - at the New South Wales Legislative Council to mark its bicentenary
He seemed in high spirits and raised a lacy in the chamber when he joked about the ‘slightly worrying’ fact that he first came to the country nearly sixty years ago.
And did not come empty handed as he reviewed an hourglass gift to mark the occasion.
In his speech, The King said: "With the sands of time encouraging brevity, 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.”
He added: “So, thank you, thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for making me feel so very welcome.”
Charles was not accompanied by the Queen during the engagement.
He also joked with lawmakers, telling them: “Since I was here in 1974, and incidentally I first came to Oz nearly 60 years ago, which is slightly worrying — this place and the people within it have continued to uphold strong representative traditions.”
But after his speech he made a surprise trip to greet well-wishers who waited ten deep outside.
Royal fan Robert said: “We are not a nation of republicans, we love the monarchy and are overjoyed about them being here.
"They [local officials] have been very secretive about what they are doing and most people are here by chance.
"The people will come out to greet them warmly if they let us.”
Others called out “welcome back”, "great to see you" and "thank you for coming".
"It’s fantastic to be here," he said. “I am so pleased to be back.”
Gerald and Christine Fletcher, from Jersey, who are on holiday in Australia, told the King: “Welcome back. We are from the UK, all the way here to see you. Well done for coming.”
Charles replied: “I am so glad to be here."
Having been with you for your 150th Anniversary, I am delighted – and proud – to be able to return to the Parliament of New South Wales in order to celebrate the occasion of your bicentenary.
I will be saying more at a reception in Canberra tomorrow, but I cannot let this opportunity pass without saying a few words to mark this most important milestone.
It is fascinating, I think, to reflect back to 200 years ago. Thinking about those times makes one wonder what that inaugural handful of members of the New South Wales Legislative Council would make of this Parliament today and of how this great State has progressed.
Those original Council members were, as I understand it, squeezed into the old Government House, not far from here, and then moved into borrowed rooms in this building. From that vantage point, regardless of their optimism, it was no doubt impossible to imagine what is now the vast and vibrant state of New South Wales, which has grown and evolved alongside its legislature.
To reflect on the story of this institution and this State is to see the promise and power of representative democracy. Generations of voices have been brought together for discussion and debate, grappling with each day’s challenges and opportunities, holding power to account and driving meaningful change.
Democratic systems must evolve, of course, to remain fit for purpose, but they are, nevertheless, essentially sound systems, as I said in this building fifty years ago. When underpinned by wisdom and good faith, democracy has, I believe, an extraordinary capacity for innovation, compromise and adaptability, as well as stability.
Moreover, strong parliamentary systems, like the one we celebrate on this special occasion, are fundamental to the democracies that serve today’s diverse societies; and are even more vital, given the ever-changing natural, social, economic and technological environment.
Since I was here in 1974, and incidentally I first came to Oz nearly 60 years ago, which is slightly worrying — this place and the people within it — have continued to uphold strong representative traditions.
To everyone who has been a part of this, I can only offer my warmest congratulations.
And in the spirit of marking the passage of time, it is my great pleasure to present a small gift to the Parliament.
It is in fact an hourglass — a speech timer — to sit in the chamber and bear witness to the Legislative Council’s next chapter.
With the sands of time encouraging brevity, 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.
So, thank you, thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen for making me feel so very welcome.
The King has listed his cancer treatment during his and Camilla’s nine day trip to Australia and Samoa.
His doctor Michael Deakin is at engagements, which is normal, and there was an ambulance in the motorcade as it drove through Sydney.
It comes after the royal couple began their trip attending a service at St Thomas’ Church, in North Sydney.
Charles waved at the crowd and Camilla beamed in a pale green dress and straw hat.
A small crowd of cheering locals who heard about the visit were kept back across the road by police - with a handful of protesters.
But they were greeted by flag-waving children who screamed in delight after meeting the royal couple.
Lisa Knezevic, 43, of Sydney, said: “I want to let him know how we appreciate he made the really big trip.
“I’m just excited and grateful he has made the journey and so I’ve come to support him.”
Sheffield-born Ryan Gilpin, 33, has lived in Sydney for the last eleven years, said: “I’ve been waiting 33 years for this moment because I just love the King and the Royal Family.”
Ten-year-old Abigail Smith, 10, in her Scouts uniform, gave the King a special present.
She said: “I drew a picture of a kangaroo and gave it to him.
“He said ‘you are very kind’.
“I did it because the kangaroo is an Australian animal.
“I think he liked it.”
Joe Ackland, 48, of Melbourne, said: “It was amazing. I asked him if he would be going to go surfing or swimming on Manley Beach and he said ‘if I was a younger man’.”
Ellie Mantle, wife of Rector Micky Mantle, took youngsters from St Thomas’ Church Sunday School to greet the royal guests.
And she brought rugby ball, cricket ball and stuffed Koala, as gifts for King’s grandchildren George, Charlotte and Louis.
She said: “It’s a great honour for us as it’s the first opportunity for the public to see the King and Queen.”
The King and Queen joined a regular Anglican Church Service with worshippers led by the Most Reverend Kanishka Raffel, the Archbishop of Sydney.
The Royal Family's official account posted a snap of Charles and Camilla smiling in front of the Sydney Opera House.
The post was captioned: "What a backdrop!
"After a rest day at the beautiful Admiralty House, today Their Majesties will begin their first day of official engagements in Australia.
"The King and Queen will attend church this morning, before His Majesty visits the Parliament of New South Wales.
"See you there, Sydney!"
Anti-monarchy protesters held a vast banner at the first engagement around 100 metres away with banner reading Empire Built on Genocide.
Separately nine men and women, who said they were not part of a named group, held a banner reading Decolonise.
One of them held a Palestine and Lebanon flag.
Another, called Lizzy Jarrett, wore an Abolish the Monarchy t-shirt with Queen Elizabeth on, and cursed as she said had the same name as ‘that b*tch’.
She said the group was there to protest against British rule and return of Aboriginal land.
The church was built in 1846 when the population of Sydney North Harbour was less than 400.
The current church that now stands was completed by 1886.
It is the longest Anglican Church in New South Wales and holds more than 400 people.
It runs multiple programmes throughout the week and holds three varied services on a Sunday for their large congregation, which includes lots of young people.
The King and Queen have regularly been spotted attending Crathie Kirk for Sunday services while in Balmoral during the summer.
It comes as several Aussie State Premieres have snubbed an invite to meet the King.
But a recent poll revealed Aussies are less in favour of ditching the King for a Republic than during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
Charles flew 10,500 miles Down Under becoming the first monarch to visit since 2011.
The trip includes a party at Sydney Opera House and he will deliver a speech at Parliament House in Canberra.
He will hold a poignant face-to-face with two pioneering cancer doctors during his trip.
Despite his cancer treatment he will still pack in 36 engagements on eight days with Queen Camilla.
The trip also includes a State Visit to Samoa in the South Pacific - where he will make an address at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
Charles, 75, announced he had cancer in February and spent two months off front line engagements while he had weekly treatment.
He ordered aides to "supercharge" efforts to travel to Oz in April after positive reaction to treatment.
Sources close to the King insist his treatment is on an ‘upward trajectory’ and he will travel Down Under with royal doctors.
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