King Charles Reflects on Wildlife Encounters Amid Alpaca Sneezes
- King Charles reminisced about his school days in Australia while visiting Canberra.
- During an engagement at the Australian War Memorial, he encountered a fashionable alpaca named Hephner, who sneezed on him.
- The incident showcased a humorous and approachable side of the king during his royal duties.
On a recent visit to Australia, King Charles engaged humorously with lawmakers in Canberra, reminiscing about his transformative experiences at Timbertop, a rural grammar school he attended in the 1960s. He reflected on overcoming various challenges posed by Australia’s wild fauna, including encounters with brown snakes and funnel web spiders, which contributed to his development into a more rounded individual. Later, while greeting supporters at the Australian War Memorial, he interacted with a nine-year-old alpaca named Hephner, who was dressed in a gold crown and suit. When the king affectionately rubbed Hephner's nose, the alpaca sneezed, unintentionally spraying the king and his bodyguard. This amusing incident elicited laughter among the crowd, prompting a humorous response as Charles checked his attire for traces of Hephner’s sneeze. This humorous encounter with the alpaca added another light-hearted moment to his royal visit and marks the king’s second interaction with an alpaca since taking the throne, showcasing his approachable character and capacity to find humor in royal duties. Charles's visit serves as a reminder of the lighter moments in royal engagements, contrasting with the more serious aspects of his position, and reflects his ongoing connection with Australia as part of his broader royal duties.