The Queen has granted the wish of a 12-year-old-boy whose dream it was to meet a member of the Royal Family.
She accepted a posy from Ky, who has a severe blood condition known as aplastic anaemia, after she arrived at Sydney airport with the King for their landmark visit to Australia.
Ky’s life was saved by a bone marrow transplant from his sister Charlotte, who was by his side as he presented the flowers to the royal, organised by the Make-A-Wish charities in the UK and Australia.
As well as the youngsters from Adelaide, the royal couple met a line of dignitaries including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, his fiancee Jodie Haydon and the country’s governor general Sam Mostyn as they stepped off the plane.
Kensington Palace later released an official photo of the King and Queen with the prime minister and Ms Haydon.
The six-day trip is the King’s first visit to Australia as monarch and will see the couple visit Sydney as well as the capital Canberra.
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As they arrived, the Royal Family’s official X account posted a picture of the Sydney Opera House, featuring projected images of royal tours from over the years.
The post read: “Thank you for the special welcome, Australia! The King and Queen have touched down in Sydney to begin their visit.
“The visit marks His Majesty’s first visit to a Realm as Sovereign.”
Royal correspondent
As they landed down under, there was a wet but warm welcome for the King and Queen.
They’d sent a mile-high mid-air message on social media, saying they were “really looking forward” to returning to Australia.
The pair were last here in 2018, now they arrive as King and Queen of Australia. Both looking relaxed and smiling as they set foot in Sydney.
It is a long flight, and after a quick meet and greet the royal couple headed off. Their royal visit under way, but engagements on hold for a day.
Their whole trip has been organised to allow for the King’s health and ensure he has time to rest.
With only two-and-a-half days of organised visits, this is a whirlwind tour. But it is a significant one too.
This is the King’s first major overseas visit since his cancer diagnosis, and Australia is the first realm he has been to as monarch.
As the King landed, Sydney’s most iconic landmark was supposed to light up with images of historic royal visits to Australia
But the Opera House projection was delayed, the lights blocked out, somewhat ironically, by the Queen Elizabeth cruise ship moored up on the harbour.
Despite being in the country for nearly a week, there is only two and a half days of organised visits, to ensure the King has time to rest as he continues to receive treatment for cancer.
The King and Queen will later travel to Samoa for a three-day state visit and meet world leaders taking part in a Commonwealth heads of government meeting, which the monarch will formally open.
‘Charles would be my favourite’
When asked about where his interest in the royals came from, Ky said it was sparked after his father bought him royal-themed toys from his holidays in England.
“I just like their personality as well and what they do with charities is really nice – probably Charles would be my favourite,” he said.
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His wish to meet the royal couple was also in part inspired by the late Queen Elizabeth II having tea with Paddington Bear during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022.
He also enjoyed watching the King’s Coronation last year.
