As the city of Sydney prepares to roll out the red carpet for King Charles and Queen Camilla's arrival, a lavish welcome gesture has ignited a fiery debate among Australians.

The royal couple, set to embark on a nine-day tour down under, will be greeted with a grand spectacle that has left some citizens questioning the use of public funds.

In a display of pomp and pageantry, the iconic sails of the Sydney Opera House will be illuminated with a curated photo montage for four minutes from 8 pm, showcasing images from previous royal visits.

This grand gesture, intended to celebrate King Charles's first visit to New South Wales as Sovereign, costs $97,030.

A celebratory welcome is to be received by King Charles and Queen Camilla, with the Sydney Opera House sails illuminated by images of previous royal visits. Credit: Shutterstock

Premier Chris Minns has expressed that the light show is a 'fitting tribute' to welcome Their Majesties and to commemorate this historic moment.

The public is invited to witness the projection and even catch a glimpse of the King and Queen as they engage with the crowd on the Sydney Opera House Forecourt.

The royal visit will also feature a Fleet Review on Sydney Harbour, complete with an Australian Defence Force flypast and an on-water review of His Majesty’s Australian ships.

These events offer additional opportunities for the public to partake in the celebrations from various vantage points around the city.

However, the decision to spend nearly $100,000 on the light show has sparked outrage among many Australians, who have taken to social media to voice their concerns.

Critics argue that the funds could have been better allocated to address pressing issues such as the housing crisis, overcrowded hospitals, and the rising cost of living.

One Facebook user lamented the waste of taxpayer money on a visit by millionaires, while another questioned the excitement of 'battling Aussies' over such an extravagant expenditure.

Many echoed the sentiment of channelling funds to the needy, highlighting the disconnect between royal fanfare and the everyday struggles of the Australian people.

On the flip side, royal enthusiasts have expressed their excitement and support for the visit, with some planning to bring their families to the festivities.

Monarchists, in particular, look forward to warmly welcoming the King and Queen, showcasing the divide in public opinion.

As we delve into this contentious issue, it's essential to consider the broader implications of such expenditures.

While royal visits can boost tourism and international relations, they also raise questions about government spending priorities, especially in economic hardship for many citizens.

Key Takeaways

• King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to receive a celebratory welcome with the Sydney Opera House sails to be illuminated with images of previous royal visits.
• The NSW Government curated the photo montage to commemorate the King's first visit as Sovereign for $97,030.
• Public members have expressed mixed reactions to the cost, with some criticising the expense during economic hardship.
• Despite the controversy, some Australians are enthusiastic about the royal visit, planning to welcome the King and Queen in person.

Do you think the $97K light show is an excellent tribute to the royal visit, or is it a waste of money? How else could that money benefit Australians? Let us know in the comments below.

 

[Littleboy8]

You just need to connect the dots in between . THEY WERE BOTH ADULTERS AND THATS NOT ALLIWED IN THE ROYAL FAMILY

You need to stop doing typos

 

[Suzanne rose]

funny how all the nasties agree. hahahaha

And funny how all the dilusional idiotic people stick together

 

[Defiant540]

Where is Mustafa?

who?

 

[Suzanne rose]

You need to stop doing typos

I do that when I'm MAD

 

[Suzanne rose]

who?

I think it's The lion king

 

[Suzanne rose]

honestly, if you are going to comment make sure it is funny or else crack up somewhere else.

 

[Littleboy8]

I do that when I'm MAD

you must get mad a lot

 

[Suzanne rose]

To whom are you referring @Jest?

I hope your not replying to @DLHM her hubby is Veg

 

[Suzanne rose]

you must get mad a lot

No ottttherrt timesss inn ah urry

 

[Suzanne rose]

Have you been told today?

I'm starting to think these people have peas for brains.

 

[denise.cain]

Stop being petty.a lot more money is spent on stupid meetings and re iewa

 

[Jennie]

I think our King and Queen deserve our tribute. Start putting money to where it is needed -- STOP wasting money on this Republic NONSENSE. Our system works well as it is. All that is needed is DECENT politicians

Decent politicians, sorry but that sounds like an Oxymoron.

 

[Joydie]

You just need to connect the dots in between . THEY WERE BOTH ADULTERS AND THATS NOT ALLIWED IN THE ROYAL FAMILY

Still waiting for your apology, Suzanne. You were wrong on every point except the fact that they committed adultery. Nobody ever debated that point.

You were so hell bent on being the know all moral arbiter that you were making things up to try and prove your point. It's cold and lonely on the moral high ground. You'd find it much nicer down here with those of us who have the grace to allow others to have human failings.

 

[Suzanne rose]

Still waiting for your apology, Suzanne. You were wrong on every point except the fact that they committed adultery. Nobody ever debated that point.

You were so hell bent on being the know all moral arbiter that you were making things up to try and prove your point. It's cold and lonely on the moral high ground. You'd find it much nicer down here with those of us who have the grace to allow others to have human failings.

I'm always the one who admit when I'm wrong.
I'm the one who usually shuts up and let others think they are right.

I'm the one who always apologises when I'm in the wrong.

I m sorry you have taken it to heart but dam if I will apologise for something I believe is right.

Charles and Camilla are adulters.

Australia should not be paying out all that money for fireworks and security for them.

There are so many Australians hurting atm who that money could help.

Australia has a huge debt , that money could have helped pay that debt.

Before you ask, I don't need the money but I know plenty who do.

Now what was it you wanted me to apologise for

 

[Tygie]

What a waste of money. It could have been spent on much better things like roads, healthcare etc. Just like it was stupid having the Australian air force fly them out here - what they couldn't make their own way out here? Not that i give a shit about them - She's a old whore and home/marriage wrecker (old donkey's ass) and him he doesn't deserve to be king he should have had to abdicate to marry that thing or make himself exempt of taking the throne. She should not be called Queen - she's not worthy! Old chuck sure was thinking with the wrong head letting her! Send the pair of them home - they are a waste of money and space.

 

[Gsr]

So the king and his queen consort are in Australia. I’m sure the visit is costing us taxpayers enough without the added expense of $97,000 being wasted on some pictures of past royal visits. Imagine how many meals for the homeless that could have provided. Time governments got their priorities sorted out.

 

[Suzanne rose]

What a waste of money. It could have been spent on much better things like roads, healthcare etc. Just like it was stupid having the Australian air force fly them out here - what they couldn't make their own way out here? Not that i give a shit about them - She's a old whore and home/marriage wrecker (old donkey's ass) and him he doesn't deserve to be king he should have had to abdicate to marry that thing or make himself exempt of taking the throne. She should not be called Queen - she's not worthy! Old chuck sure was thinking with the wrong head letting her! Send the pair of them home - they are a waste of money and space.

You said it as it is.

 

[Suzanne rose]

So the king and his queen consort are in Australia. I’m sure the visit is costing us taxpayers enough without the added expense of $97,000 being wasted on some pictures of past royal visits. Imagine how many meals for the homeless that could have provided. Time governments got their priorities sorted out.

That money would have fed Sydney's homeless for a couple of years.

Vinnies run a soup kitchen behind St Mary's Cathedral . My son used to help serve there as did I.
That is where you see the true homelessness and many sad stories.

If it was Diana that was alive and visiting she would have fed them . Can you imagine those two who arrived last night doing that.

Hope you read the other post on this discussion. Very colourful

 

[Littleboy8]

I hope your not replying to @DLHM her hubby is Veg

Hubby their not married they just live together

 

[Joydie]

What a waste of money. It could have been spent on much better things like roads, healthcare etc. Just like it was stupid having the Australian air force fly them out here - what they couldn't make their own way out here? Not that i give a shit about them - She's a old whore and home/marriage wrecker (old donkey's ass) and him he doesn't deserve to be king he should have had to abdicate to marry that thing or make himself exempt of taking the throne. She should not be called Queen - she's not worthy! Old chuck sure was thinking with the wrong head letting her! Send the pair of them home - they are a waste of money and space.

The sum spent on the photo montage wouldn't even pay for half a roundabout. If you knew anything about the cost of health care equipment, you'd know that $97,000 is a drop in the bucket. If you're so concerned about wasted money, let's cancel all government expenditure on anything other than basic infrastructure. It'll be a miserable old world, but ho hum.

I'm sorry that you find it necessary to speak about people, any people, in the way you do. It must be terrible to have so much hatred and bitterness in you to think this way. Still, I should congratulate you on living such a perfect life and surrounding yourself with perfect people. You must suffer so badly knowing that there are people in the world who don't live up to your elevated standards.