The Very Best Photos of the British Royal Family in Australia Through the Years

Jason Sargent Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Emily BurackTue, April 14, 2026 at 2:34 PM UTC

The Royals in Australia Through the YearsTim Graham - Getty Images

For decades, the British royal family has regularly made trips to Australia. Queen Elizabeth herself visited the country 16 times, and in 1954, she became the first reigning monarch to step foot on Australian soil. During that visit, the Queen and Prince Philip undertook 58 days of engagements, and traveled to 57 Australian cities and towns. King Charles first traveled to Australia in 1966—not on a royal tour, but as a student. He spent two terms at boarding school there. (While his trip in 2024 marked his 17th visit to the country, it was his first as monarch.) More recent visits include Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s memorable tour of the country in 2018, and Prince William and Kate Middleton's trip in 2014. As the Sussexes return to Australia this week, here is a selection of the best photos of the British royal family in Australia through the years:

1920

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Edward, Prince of Wales (the future Duke of Windsor), toured 120 Australian cities and towns to thank the people for their contribution to World War I.

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Here, Prince Edward greeted returned soldiers in Sydney.

1927

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Prince Albert (the future King George VI) and Elizabeth (the future Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother), then the Duke and Duchess of York, traveled to Australia in 1927.

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They were greeted by large crowds in Brisbane.

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The royals looked stylish in Sydney.

1934

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The Duke of Gloucester carried out a 67-day tour of Australia in 1934.

1946

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The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester in the Northern Territory of Australia. Prince Henry served as the Governor-General of Australia for two years, the only royal to ever hold that post.

1954

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Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip wave to the crowds during their tour of Australia.

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Queen Elizabeth II became the first reigning monarch of Australia to set foot in the country.

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Queen Elizabeth II, in her coronation gown, and Prince Philip, in his admiral's uniform, pictured after opening the Australian parliament.

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The Queen and Philip took in a parade in Canberra.

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Everywhere they traveled in Australia, there were large crowds to meet them. Here, the royals are in Melbourne.

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The trip wasn't without its tiara moments, either; Elizabeth and Philip attended a banquet one evening.

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Queen Elizabeth held her umbrella in Townsville, Australia.

1958

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A few years later, the Queen Mother traveled to Australia. She's pictured here at the Surf Carnival at Manly Beach in Sydney.

1963

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Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip returned to Australia less than a decade later.

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The Queen watched cattle herding on the plains.

1966

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King Charles first visited Australia in 1966; it wasn't a royal visit, but rather, he was studying at the Timbertop campus of Geelong Grammar School.

1970

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Queen Elizabeth returned to Australia to mark the bicentenary of Captain Cook's 1770 expedition to Australia.

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Her family joined her, including Princess Anne (left).

1974

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Prince Charles was back in Australia on an official visit in 1974; here, he made a speech.

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He also took time to visit the Australian coast.

1977

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The Queen was back in Australia just seven years later, on her Silver Jubilee Tour.

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She was greeted by schoolchildren in Brisbane.

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Prince Philip was again by her side.

1981

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Prince Charles returned to Australia in 1981.

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He took a dip in the ocean at Bondi Beach.

1982

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The following year saw another visit by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to Australia.

1983

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In 1983, Charles and Diana famously traveled to Australia.

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It was Princess Diana's first overseas tour.

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They brought baby Prince William with them. (Read more on their stay at Woomargama Station here.)

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Massive crowds came out to see the young couple at Sydney Opera House.

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The visit was recreated in season four of The Crown.

1985

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Two years later, the Waleses returned to Australia.

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They danced together during a gala dinner in Melbourne.

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During their trip, they attended a state dinner, among many other stops.

1986

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Queen Elizabeth was back in Australia in 1986, and she was all smiles during a show in Adelaide.

1988

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Charles and Diana returned to Australia in 1988; here, they arrive at Sydney Airport.

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Princess Diana's fashion in Australia remained memorable.

1988

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Later that same year, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip also visited Australia.

1988

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Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, and Sarah, the Duchess of York, also traveled to Australia in 1988.

1994

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Prince Charles undertook a solo visit to the country in 1994.

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The trip was not without incident; as Charles gave a speech to mark Australia Day, he was shot at by a man later identified as David Kang. Charles was unharmed, and this photo shows him moments after the shooting, looking "relaxed and relieved," per the original caption.

1996

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Two years later, Princess Diana also undertook a solo visit to Australia, though she was no longer a working royal at this point.

2003

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Prince Harry worked on an outback ranch as a "jackaroo" during his gap year.

2005

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During a 2005 visit, Charles visited the Australian War Memorial.

2006

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Queen Elizabeth ll smiled as she greeted well-wishers waving Australian flags.

2006

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The Princess Royal was also in Australia that year. Here, she's in Sydney on a boat.

2011

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Queen Elizabeth's 16th and final visit to Australia occurred in 2011.

2012

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During a tour in celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, Charles and Camilla went to Australia—where they held koalas in Adelaide.

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During a stop on the tour, Prince Charles was met by school children waving Australian flags.

2013

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Prince Harry attended events commemorating the 100 year anniversary of the Royal Australian Navy's fleet.

2014

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Prince William and Kate Middleton, then the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, undertook their first overseas trip with Prince George in 2014, traveling to Australia.