King Charles III and Queen Camilla made their first public appearance in Australia on Sunday, greeted by children outside a Sydney church.

This marks Charles’ first visit as monarch, following in the footsteps of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

The king, 75, is undergoing cancer treatment, leading to a reduced schedule.

After attending a service at St. Thomas’ Anglican Church, the couple visited New South Wales Parliament to commemorate its 200th anniversary.

Despite republican leaders skipping a Canberra reception, Charles expressed his longstanding affection for Australia, the Associated Press has reported.

He will next travel to Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

Written by B.C. Begley