King Charles and Queen Camilla kick off their historic tour of Australia as crowds turn out to greet British pair

THE King and Queen looked refreshed from a day of rest as they kicked off their tour Down Under – with crowds turning out to give them an Aussie welcome.

The royal couple began their trip attending a service at St Thomas’ Church, in North Sydney.

Charles waved at the crowd and Camilla beamed in a pale green dress and straw hat.

A small crowd of cheering locals who heard about the visit were kept back across the road by police – with a handful of protesters.

But were greeted by delighted flag-waving children who screamed in delight after meeting the royal couple.

Lisa Knezevic, 43, of Sydney, said: “I want to let him know how we appreciate he made the really big trip.

“I’m just excited and grateful he has made the journey and so I’ve come to support him.”

Sheffield-born Ryan Gilpin, 33, has lived in Sydney for the last eleven years, said: “I’ve been waiting 33 years for this moment because I just love the King and the Royal Family.”

Ellie Mantle, wife of Rector Micky Mantle, took youngsters from St Thomas’ Church Sunday School to greet the royal guests.

And brought rugby ball, cricket ball and stuffed Koala, as gifts for King’s grandchildren George, Charlotte and Louis.

She said: “It’s a great honour for us as it’s the first opportunity for the public to see the King and Queen.”

The King and Queen joined a regular Anglican Church Service with worshippers led by the Most Reverend Kanishka Raffel, the Archbishop of Sydney.

The Royal Family’s official account posted a snap of Charles and Camilla smiling in front of the Sydney Opera House.

The post was captioned: “What a backdrop!

“After a rest day at the beautiful Admiralty House, today Their Majesties will begin their first day of official engagements in Australia.

“The King and Queen will attend church this morning, before His Majesty visits the Parliament of New South Wales.

“See you there, Sydney!”

Anti-monarchy protesters held a vast banner at the first engagement around 100 metres away with banner reading Empire Built on Genocide.

Separately nine men and women, who said they were not part of a named group, held a banner reading Decolonise.

One of them held a Palestine and Lebanon flag.

Another, called Lizzy Jarrett, wore an Abolish the Monarchy t-shirt with Queen Elizabeth on, —and cursed as she said had the same name as ‘that b*tch’.

And said the group was there to protest against British rule and return of Aboriginal land.

The church was built in 1846 when the population of Sydney North Harbour was less than 400.

The current church that now stands was completed by 1886.

It is the longest Anglican Church in New South Wales and holds more than 400 people.

It runs multiple programmes throughout the week and holds three varied services on a Sunday for their large congregation, which includes lots of young people.

The King and Queen have regularly been spotted attending Crathie Kirk for Sunday services while in Balmoral during the summer.

It comes as several Aussie State Premieres have snubbed an invite to meet the King.

But a recent poll revealed Aussies are less in favour of ditching the King for a Republic than during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

Charles flew 10,500 miles Down Under becoming the first monarch to visit since 2011.

The trip includes a party at Sydney Opera House and he will deliver a speech at Parliament House in Canberra.

He will hold a poignant face-to-face with two pioneering cancer doctors during his trip.

Despite his cancer treatment he will still pack in 36 engagements on eight days with Queen Camilla.

The trip also includes a State Visit to Samoa in the South Pacific – where he will make an address at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

Charles, 75, announced he had cancer in February and spent two months off front line engagements while he had weekly treatment.

He ordered aides to “supercharge” efforts to travel to Oz in April after positive reaction to treatment.

Sources close to the King insist his treatment is on an ‘upward trajectory’ and he will travel Down Under with royal doctors.