King Charles' controversial $97k gift on arrival in Sydney: 'Waste of money'

King Charles and Queen Camilla will touch down in Australia on Friday to kick off their nine-day trip, with the pair set to receive a welcome truly fit for royalty. To commemorate their visit - their first since 2018 - the sails of the Sydney Opera House will be illuminated from 8pm for four minutes with images from previous royal visits.

Members of the public can make their way down to the harbour to see the projection, which commemorates the King’s first visit as Sovereign. The photo montage was curated by the NSW Government as is intended to showcase the "diverse ways in which Their Majesties have engaged with and celebrated NSW and Australia over the years."

“We are lighting up the Sydney Opera House to warmly welcome The King and Queen to our beautiful harbour city," Premier Chris Minns said in a statement.

"The photo projection on the Opera House sails celebrates a historic moment - The King’s first visit to NSW as Sovereign - and is a fitting tribute."

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The gesture does not come cheap - costing an estimated $97,030 - despite Minns scrapping plans for a similar activation in 2022 to commemorate the King's coronation. At the time, the premier said lighting up the opera house would be too much of a burden on the Australian taxpayer.

Where to see the King and Queen in Sydney

In addition to being able to see the projection on the Opera House sails, people will also have the opportunity to meet or see the King or Queen as they engage with members of the public on the Sydney Opera House Forecourt on October 22nd at 4.20pm.

Their appearance will be followed by a Fleet Review on Sydney Harbour, featuring an Australian Defence Force fly past. Their Majesties, accompanied by the Governor-General, Chief of the Defence Force, and Chief of Navy, will board a vessel to conduct an on-water review of His Majesty’s Australian ships Hobart, Warramunga, Arunta, Gascoyne, and Yarra, which will be anchored in the harbour.

Members of the public can see the ships and fly past from various vantage points including Farm Cove, Royal Botanic Gardens and Mrs Macquarie’s Chair at approximately 4.50pm.

The monarch's visit, and subsequent cost to the taxpaying public, has been met with mixed reviews online as several people pointed out the money could have been better spent elsewhere.

Aussies slam cost of royal visit

"Cannot support wasting our taxes on people who wouldn’t be here if we didn’t pay," one disgruntled person said on Facebook.

"At a time when rents are sky high ...more and more homeless.. Hospitals are overcrowded...Food and petrol prices are ridiculous...Do you really think it excites battling Aussies...having money spent this way?" another person asked.

"How many homeless could be housed with the money spent on a visit by millionaires, paid by us?" someone else enquired.

"Waste of money! Channel the funds to the needy. King who with the horse?!," was another remarked.

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However, other people expressed their excitement about the King and Queen's visit.

"I will definitely head in with the kids to see this," one excited Royals fan wrote.

"As a monarchist, yes I'm going there to warmly welcome them," someone else wrote.

"Can’t wait for their majesties arrival," a third person enthused.

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