Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall have touched down in Australia for the start of the Commonwealth Games – and the heir to the throne got a special surprise as he greeted crowds in Brisbane.
The pair were in the city’s Botanical Gardens when the Prince, 69, enjoyed a catch-up with an old friend, Ian Bullock, with whom he attended a prestigious school in Australia for a period in 1964.
This was the first time the pair had caught up in 50 years.
Prince Charles, 69 enjoyed a catch-up with an old friend, Ian Bullock, with whom he attended school in Australia for a period in 1964 (both pictured in Brisbane)
Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Australia, Ian Bullock’s daughter told FEMAIL that Prince Charles had not seen his old school friend (both pictured) in 50 years
Their meeting came after the 69-year-old Prince and the Duchess of Cornwall attended Lady Cilento’s Children’s Hospital, where they met with patients
‘Old school pals catching up from #timbertop,’ Ian’s daughter, Wendy Ryan, posted on social media on Wednesday afternoon.
Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Australia, Wendy explained: ‘They were at TimberTop Geelong together many years ago, perhaps around 1964.
‘They hadn’t caught up since then and they had a great chat and a laugh about it. It was lovely.’
However, police were forced to step in and forcibly remove a man from the event after he began to lash out.
In the footage, taken at Brisbane’s Botanic Gardens, the bearded man appeared to reach over a security fence and scuffle with a member of the royal entourage.
A spokeswoman from Queensland Police said the man was taken out of the crowd after attempting to touch the Prince as he moved past.
The incident is not the first time Prince Charles has run into trouble at a meet and greet on Australian soil.
He was shielded by a bodyguard when a student fired two blank shots at Prince Charles 24 years ago.
The Royals (pictured at the Children’s Hospital) are in Australia for the Commonwealth Games, which begin on Thursday
Camilla greeted thousands of people as they lined the streets with flowers and mobile phone (pictured)
Later on on Wednesday afternoon, the Prince turned his hand to mixing up ingredients and painting at the hospital, to the delight of onlookers (pictured)
The Prince (pictured) showed off his artistic side with brush in hand
The anthropology student, who is now a barrister working in Sydney, was wrestled to the ground by the then NSW Premier John Fahey and Australian of the Year Ian Kiernan.
Despiye this, Australia holds ‘fond memories’ for the Prince, who attended the rural outpost of Geelong Grammar School, Timbertop, for a period as a teenager.
The prince spent two terms at Timbertop as a 17-year-old in 1964. The remote school is located in central Victoria, and the prince also spent two weeks at its Geelong headquarters, 50 miles south of Melbourne, which he visited yesterday.
‘He’s a thoroughly nice lad – a little reserved perhaps and maybe a little bit shy but those are the ones we like up here,’ a Timbertop master told the Australian Women’s Weekly.
Meanwhile, Prince Charles himself also spoke fondly of the 70-mile hikes in a ‘blood-soaked shirt’, caused by his rucksack rubbing against his skin – and a regime that ‘was hell’ and left him ‘bloody well bushed’.
‘I loved it all,’ Prince Charles said, at the school’s 150th anniversary.
Sqd Ldr David Checketts, his father’s equerry and later the prince’s private secretary, accompanied the prince, and was once quoted as saying: ‘I went out with a boy and came back with a man.’
Australia holds ‘fond memories’ for the Prince, who attended the rural outpost of Geelong Grammar School, Timbertop, for a period as a teenager (both pictured on Wednesday)
The Royal Tour will be the Prince of Wales’s seventh visit to Queensland and the Duchess’s (both pictured) third visit
While visiting Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital on Wednesday, Charles and Camilla had broad smiles on their faces as they met with various officials and patients.
They spoke with patients including Abigail Head and Philippa Russell, who are both associated with Juiced TV, an entertainment initiative that benefits the health and well-being of sick children and their families in hospital.
The couple landed in Queensland this morning by private jet, after they left the central NSW town of Wagga Wagga on Wednesday morning, where they spent time with friends on a farm, reported 9 News.
The Royal Tour is the Prince of Wales’s seventh visit to Queensland and the Duchess’s third visit.
The royals have touched down in Australia and have spent a few days in a secret location before boarding a private jet to Brisbane (pictured)
The pair were seen boarding their private jet in the central NSW town of Wagga Wagga on Wednesday morning after having spent time with friends on a farm
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall (pictured) spent time in regional New South Wales before landing in Brisbane on Wednesday afternoon
Charles and Camilla met with Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (pictured)
Camilla Parker Bowles, 70, plumped for a pastel blue/green dress, which she paired with nude court shoes, a clutch bag and matching hat
The Royal Tour will be the Prince of Wales’s seventh visit to Queensland and the Duchess’ third visit (pictured in Brisbane on Wednesday)
The Prince of Wales inspected military personnel during the Ceremonial Welcome (pictured)
Prince Charles (pictured) is expected to take a tour of the athletes’ village in coming days
While they are here, they have a packed-out schedule – featuring a walk through the Botanic Gardens, a trip to Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital, a tour of the athletes’ village as well as other major tourist destinations including the Great Barrier Reef and Bundaberg’s rum distillery.
Later on Wednesday afternoon, the Prince turned his hand to mixing up ingredients and painting at the hospital, to the delight of onlookers.
For the occasion, the Royal pair opted for co-ordinating pastel-hued outfits.
While the 69-year-old Prince chose a grey pinstripe suit with light blue tie, Camilla Parker Bowles, 70, plumped for a pastel blue/green dress, which she paired with nude court shoes, a clutch bag and matching hat.
She completed her outfit with her trademark pearl necklace.
The Commonwealth Games opening ceremony will take place on Wednesday night, and competition begins on Thursday.