King Charles had an unusual encounter with an unexpected creature in Australia today – and was left in ‘disbelief’ when he was sneezed on.

Both Charles and Queen Camilla have been in Canberra today as part of their trip to Australia where they took part in a sombre ceremony at the Australian War Memorial. Inside the memorial’s Hall of Memory, Charles laid a wreath at the foot of the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier alongside a floral posy placed by Camilla.

But after the moving service, the couple moved outside, where they were greeted by crowds in the hundreds. And the King was left in “disbelief” when an alpaca dressed in a crown and suit with a golden bow tie sneezed on him as he went to say hello.Nine-year-old Hephner spectacularly fluffed his lines when he was introduced to the King, who stroked his nose and the animal left off a loud sneeze – provoking laughter and Charles to say “bless you”.

Thousands turned out to greet the King and Queen – with fans waving flags and banners. The throng included Robert Fletcher bringing the alpaca – named Hephner as his mother was called Playgirl – on its lead to meet the King dressed in a gold crown and suit complete with a gold bow tie for the event

Robert, of Goulburn, New South Wales, uses his alpaca as a support animal for charities and nursing homes. He said while waiting for Charles: “My wife found the crown and thought it was fitting. I think he loves his crown very much. He has lots of outfits but it’s a special day so he is in a suit and bow tie as well.

The King met the sneezy alpaca called Hephner while greeting crowds in Canberra ( 

Image:
PA)
“Hephner has met a few famous people before but this is the King. He wants to meet the King. He doesn’t bite and he doesn’t spit. He’s always on his best behaviour anyway. And he is a pro-monarchy alpaca.”

When Charles came close, Robert shook his hand and introduced the King to the animal. But as the King gently patted him within seconds the alpaca let out a loud sneeze. Robert said afterwards: “I got to shake his hand and then Hephner sneezed. The King just looked in disbelief. But it’s just who Hephner is. He is an alpaca after all.”

The walkabout at the war memorial came before an indigenous politician launched a verbal attack on the King and Queen as they entered Australia’s Parliament, accusing the royals of “committing genocide”.

Lidia Thorpe, an Aboriginal Australian independent senator for Victoria, approached Charles and Camillla after they took to the stage in front of politicians and digitatories. Dressed in an indigenous dress and holding a piece of paper, she approached the stage as dumbfounded MPs and guests stood by, shouting “You are not my King”.

King Charles and Queen Camilla at the Australian War Memorial ( 
Image:
Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)
Shouting at the King and Queen as royal protection officers attempted to lead her out of the building, Ms Thorpe said: “You committed genocide against our people. Give us our land back, give us back what you stole from us. Our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people.

“You destroyed our lands, give us a treaty, we want a treaty in the country, you are a genocidalist. This is not your land, this is not your land, you are not my King, you are not our King.” She was also heard shouting “not my King” and “f**k the colony” as she was led out.

The King and Queen did not engage as the scene played out, instead turning to people next to them as music was played by an orchestra. She was ushered out of the room after around 30 seconds by security including the King’s protection officers.Afterwards, a planned royal walkabout outside the parliament lasted only a few minutes after the commotion inside the chamber. Dozens of people who had been waiting in the blazing Canberra sunshine since 8am to catch a glimpse of the King and Queen were left devastated after the royals spent less than 10 minutes saying hello to the crowds.

But a palace source denied it had been cut short due to the commotion inside the chamber and said the schedule had been running 15 minutes over. They said: “Their Majesties were deeply touched by seeing and hearing the very many thousands who’d turned out to support them, and are only sorry they didn’t have a chance to stop and talk to every single one.

“The warmth and scale of the reception was truly awesome. While they are grateful to all the crowds, Their Majesties particularly enjoyed hearing individual stories of those who’d made such a special effort to be there.” A palace source also said about the protestor that the King was ‘unruffled’ and would “not let it overshadow what has otherwise been a wonderful day”.