King Charles cracks jokes about his age & the lengths of his speeches as he kicks off historic tour of Australia

Charles, 75, described his “great joy” for being in the country and said he is Down Under to “renew a love” of the country and people “I have cherished for so long”.

He undertook his first major ceremonial duty – and an impromptu royal walkabout – at the New South Wales Legislative Council to mark its bicentenary

He seemed in high spirits and raised a lacy in the chamber when he joked about the ‘slightly worrying’ fact that he first came to the country nearly sixty years ago.

And did not come empty handed as he reviewed an hourglass gift to mark the occasion.

In his speech, The King said: “With the sands of time encouraging brevity, it just remains for me to say what a great joy it is to come to Australia for the first time as Sovereign, and to renew a love of this country and its people which I have cherished for so long.”

He added: “So, thank you, thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for making me feel so very welcome.”

Charles was not accompanied by the Queen during the engagement.

He also joked with lawmakers, telling them: “Since I was here in 1974, and incidentally I first came to Oz nearly 60 years ago, which is slightly worrying — this place and the people within it have continued to uphold strong representative traditions.”

But after his speech he made a surprise trip to greet well-wishers who waited ten deep outside.Royal fan Robert said: “We are not a nation of republicans, we  love the monarchy and are overjoyed about them being here.

“They [local officials] have been very secretive about what they are doing and most people are here by chance.

“The people will come out to greet them warmly if they let us.”