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The hidden detail in Jodie Haydon's outfit: Albo's fiancée ditches her dazzling evening attire as she makes a bold fashion statement while greeting Charles and Camilla in Sydney

R.Davis28 min ago
Jodie Haydon has a go-to colour for royal occasions - and she stayed true to form while greeting King Charles and Queen Camilla upon their arrival in Australia on Friday evening.

The Prime Minister's fiancée, who's known for her glittering evening gowns, swapped scintillation for sophistication as she shook hands with the King and Queen after they touched down in Sydney to a wet but warm welcome.

The financial services professional, 45, looked effortlessly smart in a faded navy blue, single-breasted suit that featured four black buttons running down the centre front.

Wearing matching suit trousers, she completed her look with a white blouse and subtle nude pumps.

The women's advocate had her blonde locks naturally styled with a side part as she smiled and curtsied to Their Majesties, making their first visit Down Under since taking the throne.

Blue has become Ms Haydon's colour of choice for important official events, as she also wore a fitted blue mid-length dress by Australian designer Karen Gee to King Charles' coronation in May 2023.

Known for upcycling her dresses, Ms Haydon also wore a very similar navy suit when Prime Minister Albanese, US President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden met for a private dinner ahead of an elaborate state affair back in October last year.

However, Ms Haydon's outfit on Friday was worlds away from her usually dazzling evening attire.

She has previously stepped out in glittering gowns, most notably in 2023 when she made a striking appearance in a smokey-grey ballgown at a state dinner hosted by President Biden and his wife Jill at the White House .

The gown, made by Australian designer Paolo Sebastian, featured subtle Australian motifs woven in the fabric, showcasing the rich tapestry of the country's unique wildlife and flora.

In 2022, Ms Haydon looked sensational in a sequin showstopper at the 2022 Midwinter Ball in Canberra, before wearing it again at the same occasion this year.

The King and Queen disembarked from their RAAF flight to be be welcomed by Governor-General Sam Mostyn, NSW Governor Margaret Beazley, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns and Mr Minns' mother, Cara.

But 12-year-old Ky Exelby and his sister Charlotte caught the attention of Their Majesties.

Ky, who received a life-saving bone marrow transplant from his sister, presented a posy to Queen Camilla, after requesting to the meet the royal couple through the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

The King and Queen appeared to have an animated and warm chat with the beaming siblings.

The King looked dapper in a dark grey, pinstriped suit and umbrella.

Camilla, 77, still put her umbrella up and walked gingerly down the stairs of the plane and onto the Tarmac.

She was wearing a royal blue silk crepe dress by Fiona Clare, adorned with the Australian wattle brooch - a gift from the Australian people to Queen Elizabeth II.

After the formal welcome, the royal couple were whisked away. They are expected to meet privately with Mr Albanese and Ms Haydon at Admiralty House before beginning the formal part of the tour.

The now 75-year-old monarch is battling cancer and the Australian tour will be his first overseas engagement following the shock diagnosis in April.

This has led to a shorter visit and scaled back engagements, with no engagements yet scheduled for Saturday.

Rumours that Their Majesties would make an unscheduled appearance at Royal Randwick for the running of the Everest and King Charles III Stakes have been played down, with members of the British media ruling it out.

Instead, the royal couple are expected to rest after the long trip from the UK before undertaking their first official events on Sunday, including attending church.

In a message posted on X before their arrival, Charles and Camilla said: 'Ahead of our first visit to Australia as King and Queen, we are really looking forward to returning to this beautiful country to celebrate the extraordinarily rich cultures and communities that make it so special. See you there!'

The message was accompanied with archive footage of previous royal tours, including the late Queen's first visit in 1954.

It is the King's first visit as the country's new sovereign and, fascinatingly, the first time in history a King of Australia has ever been to the country where he is head of state.

The only monarch to have visited so far was Queen Elizabeth II, the last time being just over a decade ago in 2011 to mark her Golden Jubilee.

Her father, King George VI, was unable to travel there due to his ill health, while King George V never attempted the lengthy journey.

It comes as Australia's six state premiers are expected to miss a reception for Charles and Camilla in Canberra on Monday.

Victoria's Jacinta Allan, South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas and Mr Minns have cabinet meetings to attend, Queensland premier Steven Miles is busy working on his election campaign, Tasmanian premier Jeremy Rockliff is on a US trade mission and Western Australia's premier Roger Cook has other commitments.

Australians will be able to see and potentially meet the King and Queen on Monday afternoon at 12.35pm at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra and then again from about 1pm at Parliament House, according to an itinerary for the royal couple.

On Tuesday in Sydney, Australians can spot the royal couple from 4.20pm at the Sydney Opera House forecourt.

King Charles and Queen Camilla will review the Australian war ships Arunta, Gascoyne, Hobart, Warramunga and Yarra, anchored in Sydney Harbour.

Alongside those formal occasions, the royal couple will visit the CSIRO and meet with firefighters to learn more about the centre's work to combat bushfires, according to a statement from the Royal Household at Buckingham Palace.

'Their Majesties will tour the National Botanic Gardens, home to the largest living collection of Australian native plants in the world, where they will learn about Indigenous plant use,' the statement reads.

'They will also hear from staff and volunteers about how climate change is affecting biodiversity.

'At a library in Sydney, Her Majesty will meet children participating in a Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition workshop.

King Charles will meet Professor Georgina Long and Professor Richard Scolyer to hear about the work they do to help those affected by melanoma, one of Australia's most common cancers.

'Her Majesty's program will also reflect the themes of her wider work, including her passion for encouraging reading and literacy and her desire to raise awareness of domestic and family violence,' the Royal Household said.

'Her Majesty will also meet representatives of GIVIT, a charity which matches donors with those in need, of which she is Patron.'

The King and Queen will also attend a barbecue in western Sydney to sample produce from across NSW and to experience the cultural diversity of contemporary Australia.

'The King will also meet Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives and groups to learn about their work in supporting local community and strengthening culture,' the statement reads.

In Canberra, the Prime Minister will welcome King Charles and Queen Camilla to Parliament House for a reception.

The monarch ascended the throne following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.

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