The King and Queen will have a change of scene on their carefully curated trip to Australia as they travel to Canberra on Monday.

After a sunny weekend in Sydney – where they made their first official public appearances of the royal tour at a church service and NSW state parliament – the royal couple’s next stop is the national capital.

They will privately pay their respects at the Australian War Memorial commemorative area, laying a wreath and floral tribute before moving to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander memorial, For Our Country, where the public will be able to see them.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will host a ceremonial welcome for the King and Queen at Parliament House.

While no state premiers will attend, they will send representatives.

Transport Canberra has issued guidance for people planning to attend events, including a free shuttle service on the city interchange.

The King and Queen are greeted by cheering crowds outside St Thomas’ church in Sydney. Photo: Getty 

The royals arrived in Sydney on Friday night and spent the following day resting before  official events began, their itinerary shaved down due to the King’s health.

Addressing a crowd at NSW Parliament House on Sunday to mark the 200th anniversary of the Legislative Council, the King spoke of the “great joy” he felt in coming to Australia for the first time as sovereign.

He also spoke of how reflecting on the institution meant seeing “the promise and power of representative democracy”.

Protesters outside St Thomas’s Church in North Sydney. Photo: Getty

Royal fans delighted

Before the speech, the King and Queen attended a service at St Thomas’ Anglican Church, where crowds gathered hoping to see them.

As they left the church, the royals were greeted by hundreds of cheering people, all hoping to catch a glimpse or snap a photo.

Protesters also gathered, holding banners that read “Empire built on genocide” and “Decolonise” as well as Aboriginal and Lebanese flags.

In an unplanned moment, the royals delighted people when they greeted crowds on the other side of the church.

Police had to scramble to ensure the royals were protected as they shook hands and interacted with people who had travelled from far and wide to catch a glimpse of the monarch.

Helen Hetrelezis and her brothers arrived at the church at 7.45am – almost three hours before the church service.

Their efforts paid off and Hetrelezis was granted a few moments with the Queen after church.

“We spoke about her visit. I asked the Queen about her stay, she said she was enjoying Sydney very much,” she said.

A woman plays a quick tune for the King. Photo: Getty

The royals will return to Sydney on Tuesday, where they will meet more locals and attend a naval fleet review on the Admiral Hudson vessel.

Following the five-day tour of Australia, they will travel to Samoa where the King will open the annual Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

During the service at St Thomas’ on Sunday, Bishop Christopher Edwards delivered a prayer asking for the protection of the King and Queen, along with the hope that the upcoming meeting would be prosperous.

The King and Queen at church in Sydney. Photo: Getty

-AAP