During his recent visit to Australia, King Charles III encountered a poignant reminder of his past when he was asked to sign the nation’s historic Bible. This Bible, held at St. Thomas’s Anglican Church in Sydney, has been signed by visiting members of the British royal family since 1954, beginning with Queen Elizabeth II. What made this moment especially noteworthy was that Charles signed on a page just beneath the signature of his late first wife, Princess Diana, from their visit to Australia in 1983.
The 1983 tour, which had marked a significant turning point in Charles and Diana’s marriage, had left a lasting impact, as the public’s adoration for Diana was overwhelming. This moment of signing the Bible not only recalled that period but also highlighted how far the monarchy has come since then, particularly as Charles now visits Australia for the first time as king, accompanied by Queen Camilla.
The royal couple attended a service at St. Thomas’s Church in Northern Sydney, where they received a warm welcome from hundreds of supporters, despite a small group of anti-monarchy protesters present outside. The protesters’ calls were drowned out by the well-wishers, who shouted positive remarks like, “It’s a beautiful day, we cherish you!”
Later, King Charles presented an hourglass to the Australian Parliament, marking the 200th anniversary of the New South Wales Legislative Council. In a lighthearted moment, he joked about the “sands of time” while acknowledging the importance of democratic systems. His remarks emphasized the need for adaptability and innovation in democracy, particularly in the face of the ever-changing social, economic, and technological landscape. The hourglass, which he presented, had a special cedar base made from wood sourced from Charles’ Highgrove home.
Charles’s visit was filled with reflections on both his long-standing connection to Australia and his new role as monarch. His humor and the thoughtful symbolism of the hourglass underscored his appreciation for Australia and its people, cementing his commitment to the nation as its new sovereign.