The Royal Visit to Australia, October 2024
Report from member Dr Tariq Khan on the King's recent visit to Australia with Queen Camilla, Patron of the Royal College of Podiatry
King Charles and Queen Camilla's visit to Australia from 18-23 October 2024 was their first since the King's Coronation. The Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, held a Reception at Parliament House in Canberra for their Royal Majesties.
Dignitaries from all over Australia were invited, including High Commissioners, Members of Parliament, Nobel Laurettes, sports personalities, and charity and healthcare workers. I was honoured to be invited to attend, to represent the Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) Department of the Sydney Children’s Hospital.
Earlier in the year, Their Majesties were invited to attend the above hospital to meet with children suffering with EB (a rare skin condition) and their families. EB is a blistering skin disease which can affect the whole body. Unfortunately, due to the King's cancer treatment, their Australian visit needed to be cut short, so they were not able to attend the EB Department.
Nevertheless, I was fortunate enough to be able to speak with them at the Reception and discuss not only the current work, but remind them of their earlier visit to Great Ormond Street Hospital/University College London Hospital, hosted by the Royal College of Podiatry. At this event, Her Majesty, the Royal College of Podiatry’s Patron, met with members of our College who showcased some of the various aspects of podiatry and how it is integral to a multidisciplinary team.
Dr Tariq Khan
Consultant Podiatrist
Dermatology Department
Sydney Children’s Hospital