There will be barbies, beach visits and a meeting with Jubilee stars the Waka warriors for Prince Charles and Camilla as they head Down-Under for their two week Diamond Jubilee Tour.While this is the Duchess of Cornwall's first visit to Australia, for Charles it will no doubt bring back happy memories of his previous trips, which have included surfing excursions and a famous beach-side kiss from model Jane Priest.
Having already got into the spirit of their host countries with a reception at Buckingham Palace, the couple are ready to leave on Saturday for the tour which promises to strongly promote the Jubilee's theme of 'service to the community'.Papua New Guinea is first on the royal itinerary, where, along with meeting the country's dignitaries and Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, the couple will turn their hand to local crafts like weaving, pottery and fishing as well as enjoying some traditional singing and dancing.A warm Indigenous welcome will greet the duo in Australia as they touch down in the North-Eastern state of Queensland and head to the remote town of Longreach. Here they will enjoy a relaxed community BBQ, full of traditional fare.
On November 6, keen equestrian Camilla will present the winner of prestigious horse-race, the Melbourne Cup, with their prize. She will then attend a reception held by Osteoporosis Australia, a charity of particular interest to her, at Government House in Melbourne. The building is also about 50 miles from Geelong Grammer School, where here husband was educated for two terms in 1966.The couple will then leave Victoria, heading north to Sydney. Here the Prince of Wales will meet lifeasvers, emergency workers and volunteers at a reception at Iceburgs Club, Bondi Beach. Due to the tour's focus on youth enterprise and sport, Charles will also join Indigenous high school students who are participating Australia Rugby League's "Dream Believe Achieve" programme at the Bondi Surf Bathers' Lifesaving Club.
On Remembrance Day Charles and Camilla will journey to the country's capital, Canberra, laying a wreath at the Australian War Memorial, beforesaying their goodbyes.
New Zealand is the final leg of the tour and the royal couple will be greeted with a traditional Maori welcome in Auckland. Whilst in the country's North Island the royals will meet the countrys' heroes from war veterans to Olympic athletes.
Later, hundreds of schoolchildren will join Charles and Camilla for a performance of Hairy Maclary, a stage version of the well-loved book series by New Zealand-born author Lynley Dodd,Upon their arrival in the country's South Island, the couple will take a walk along the Wellington waterfront with members of the Waka crew who particpated in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant before heading off for Charles' special Hobbit-based birthday treat.An avid fan of the JRR Tolkein book, the Prince of Wales will be able to view designs, prosthetics, make-up and costumes which feature in the forthcoming blockbuster by film-maker Peter Jackson.To officially mark his 64th year, Prince Charles and his wife will attend a celebration at Government House to celebrate with New Zealanders who share the same birthday.The tour will take a more sombre tone when the couple travel further south to the earthquake damagaed city of Christchurch. Charles and Camilla will meet those who are rebuilding their lives after last year's devestating earthquake. In keeping with the theme of the tour, the couple's final engagement will involve meeting local residents, shopkeepers, volunteers and buskers before attending the 150th Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Show.
