Australia appeared to snub Princess Diana in their Sydney Opera House tribute, just as King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in the country.
The Sydney Opera House was illuminated with a montage of 21 images from the King and Queen’s previous visits to Australia.
Pictures beamed onto the building’s white “shells” from 8pm until midnight showed black and white pictures of an athletic Prince Charles playing cricket, on horseback and at Bondi Beach in 1966, as well as a portrait taken for the Australian public last year.
The images, chosen in conjunction with the Palace, did not include any pictures of Charles in Australia with his first wife, the late Princess Diana.
Australia snubs Princess Diana in Sydney Opera House tribute as Charles and Camilla arrive
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The late Princess of Wales famously toured the country in 1983, which led to a resounding success and increased love for the Royal Family among the Australian public.
The light show was due to start at 8pm but was delayed by nearly an hour. The £50,000 cost of the show on the harbour front was signed off by Chris Minns, the Premier of New South Wales, who had scrapped plans for a similar tribute during last year’s -Coronation.
It comes as King Charles likely breathed a sigh of relief as republican officials promised to be on their “best behaviour” during the monarch’s royal tour.
Before greeting the King at the airport, Minns told The Times: “I’m a republican. You’ve asked me and I’m happy to tell you I’m a republican.
King Charles will likely face planned protests during the tour
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“But I’m going to treat him as an honoured guest in New South Wales, which he genuinely is. I hope he has a great time here and I’ll be on my best behaviour.”
Charles, 75, and Camilla, 77, touched down at Sydney Airport for their first trip to a Commonwealth realm since the King ascended the throne.
They held umbrellas as they left the aircraft, having narrowly missed a torrential thunderstorm, and were met by Sam Mostyn, the Governor-General.
He accompanied the King and Queen to a reception line where they were greeted by Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister, and other dignitaries including Chris Minns, the premier of New South Wales.
King Charles and Queen Camilla arriving in Sydney
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Queen Camilla wearing a blue Fiona Clare dress as she arrived
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The Queen, wearing a royal blue silk crepe dress by Fiona Clare with the Australian wattle brooch, a gift from the Australian people to the late Queen Elizabeth II, was presented with a posy by Ky, a 12-year-old from Adelaide.
Charles and Camilla had travelled to Singapore, where they were joined by the Royal Australian Air Force, which flew them on to Sydney.
After landing, the King went on to Admiralty House where he planned to have an “informal cup of tea” with Albanese.
The Prime Minister has been a vocal proponent of Australia becoming a republic.
