King Charles and Queen Camilla have begun their tour of Australia by attending a Sunday service, and signing Australia's first Bible.

The service at St Thomas' Anglican Church was officiated by the Archbishop of Sydney, the Most Reverend Kanishka Raffel. Afterwards, the royal couple signed a Bible which the King previously signed in 1983 with his then wife, Princess Diana. 

The historic Bible origianlly belonged to Rev Richard Johnson, the very first Christian minister in Australia. It has been signed by every monarch to visit the country - including Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip.

The trip is the first official overseas voyage the King has taken since his cancer diagnosis in February 2024.

Outside the church, well-wishers waved flags and gave flowers to the royal couple.

Yet the visit has not been without controversy. All six of Australia’s state premiers have said they are unable to attend a Canberra reception in honour of Charles and Camilla, in what could be perceived as a snub.

Outside St Thomas’, a group of around 20 protestors declared the Commonwealth to be “illegal occupation”, and waved Palestinian flags.

BBC News report indigenous protestor Wayne Wharton calling out: “I charge the King … with crimes against the sovereign nations of this country … of war crimes against our people."

Prior to the church service, the King presented the New South Wales state parliament with an hourglass, commemorating 200 years of its upper house.

He told guests it was a "great joy" to visit Australia for the first time since becoming King, and that he wanted to "renew a love of this country and its people which I have cherished for so long".