King Charles experienced a delightfully unexpected moment during his Canberra trip that had everyone talking. While greeting crowds alongside Queen Camilla on their Australian tour, the King encountered a little alpaca, reportedly 9 years old and named Hephner. The animal quite literally sneezed his way into the spotlight. In a video that has now gone viral, Hephner was decked out in a dapper bow tie, a tailored suit, and a shiny gold crown. Just as King Charles leaned in to pat this charming creature, Hephner unleashed a sneeze, coinciding perfectly with the royal hand coming down. The result? A burst of laughter erupted from the crowd.’
The clip was shared by a user on X (formerly Twitter) who wrote, “Their Majesties meeting the crowds at the Australian War Memorial, including Hephner the Alpaca. ‘Bless you’ as Hephner sneezes on The King’s arm.”
Watch the video here:
Their Majesties meeting the crowds at the Australian War Memorial including Hephner the Alpaca. ‘Bless you’ as Hephner sneezes on The King’s arm. #RoyalVisitAustralia #KingCharles #canberra #royalcameraman pic.twitter.com/GvXbqJzgQB— Duncan Stone (@DuncanCStone) October 21, 2024
Social media users were quick to share their thoughts, with one saying, “Aww how cute!”
According to People magazine, Hephner received a special invitation to join the festivities at the Australian War Memorial, where he charmed everyone present. This talented alpaca is owned by Robert Fletcher from Goulburn, New South Wales, and serves as a support animal for charities and nursing homes, spreading joy wherever he goes.
Hephner was named in honour of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner. The animal waited patiently for hours alongside his owner, Robert Fletcher, to meet the royal couple during their one-day tour of the Australian capital. Fletcher called it “one king meets another king.”
Later that day, the atmosphere shifted when Indigenous Senator Lidia Thorpe made headlines by interrupting the King’s speech with a powerful statement, “You are not our King. Give us our land back. Give us what you stole from us,” reports The Indian Express.
Upon their arrival in Sydney, King Charles and Queen Camilla attended a Sunday church service with a congregation, marking the beginning of their official engagements during their longing tour of Australia. This is reportedly King Charles’ first visit to the country since assuming the role of head of state in September 2022, and it also marks his most significant trip since he began undergoing cancer treatment in February, informs BBC
The six-day tour of the Commonwealth nation will include meetings with political and community leaders, as well as events that celebrate the country’s people, culture, and heritage.
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