ROYAL TOUR IS A 'MILESTONE'

There was a warm welcome for King Charles and Queen Camilla as the relatable” pair visited Australia and Samoa to celebrate culture and community

- REBECCA RUSSELL

Despite having had a difficult year spent coming to terms with the King's cancer diagnosis, Charles and Camilla looked at ease during their tour of Australia and Samoa as they soaked up everything the two countries had to offer.

As one of the most important Commonwealth nations, any visit to Australia is always recognised for its significance. And, if the King's first trip there since his accession proved anything, it is that he is perceived now, more than ever, as a modern monarch who strives to make it clear that the future of each country lies in the hands of its people.

This sense of relatability was the overriding feeling among those who met the monarch. "As so often on these tours of Australia, the turnout was far larger than predicted and you only have to look at the pictures to see how enthusiastic the crowds were to see Charles and Camilla," former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond tells OK!. "It was a long way to go and, of course, entailed Charles pausing his cancer treatment - but I think the evident affection that was shown to them made it all worthwhile.

"An important part of the tour was the prominence given to meetings with the indigenous population and it was heartwarming to see the King hugging an Aboriginal Elder with his eyes closed and showing real warmth. It's an obvious change from the way his mother behaved on royal tours and makes him so much more relatable and the monarchy more in touch."

Throughout his long tenure as heir to the throne, the King represented his late mother and made more than 100 official trips abroad - so many of which have been with his "darling wife" Camilla by his side.