Home / Latest News / Queen Camilla

Sneeze Fit for a King: Down Under Alpaca Camel Dressed to Impress Surprises Charles III With Sudden 'Achoo'

King Charles was damply greeted by an alpaca camel royal fan while touring Australia.

king charles
King Charles and Queen Camilla toured Australia in late October 2024. Source: MEGA

King Charles was greeted by an alpaca dressed to the royal nines on His Majesty's tour of Australia, but the four-legged royal fan decided to greet its King in a different way — by sneezing on him.

king charles iii

The 9-year-old alpaca named Hephner stole the show with his dapper look, sporting a suit, bow tie and a gold crown adorning his fluffy white fur.

Hephner, whose name playfully nods to Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, patiently stood beside his owner, Robert Fletcher, for hours, eagerly awaiting a chance to greet the royal couple during their brief visit to Australia’s capital, Canberra.

"It's a meeting of kings," Fletcher told an outlet.

During a 30-minute walk to greet well-wishers, the King and Queen Camilla paused when His Majesty spotted Hephner. As Charles III reached out to pat him, Hephner let out an unexpected sneeze, surprising both the King and the crowd. The monarch quickly pulled back, laughing off the sudden outburst.

"At least he didn’t spit," Fletcher joked.

king charles

This was followed by Indigenous Australian Senator Lidia Thorpe, an Independent, "aggressively" shouting down the monarch within Australia's Parliament chamber on Monday, October 21. His Majesty had just finished addressing his Aussie Parliament for the first time as monarch when, from the back of the room, Thorpe shouted, "You are not my King. Give us our land back, give us what you stole!"

The King, who is Australia's head of state and monarch, had just finished saying, "Throughout my life, Australia’s First Nations people have done me the great honor of sharing so generously their stories and cultures. I can only say how much my own experience has been shaped and strengthened by such traditional wisdom."

queen camilla

Apart from this pushback, "thousands upon thousands" of Australians were reported to have come out to catch a glimpse of their King and Queen.

The official website of the British monarchy shared, "Their Majesties were welcomed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as well as receiving a special tribute as the iconic Sydney Opera House was lit up in their honor."

The statement further added, "The King’s visit to Australia will be His Majesty’s first to a Realm as Monarch, whilst the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa is the first The King will attend as Head of the Commonwealth. In both countries, Their Majesties’ engagements will focus on themes designed to celebrate the best of Australia and Samoa, as well as reflecting aspects of The King and Queen’s work."

The iconic Sydney Opera House overlooking Sydney Harbor was lit up to show an image of the King and Queen as the pair met with Aussie leaders and dignitaries. It is said His Majesty will "rest" on Saturday, October 19, before kicking off the visit the following day.

king charles

Powered by RedCircle

People reported on Hephner's sneeze.

GET BREAKING ROYAL NEWS
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

More Stories

While Andrew has recently been in the news for all the wrong reasons, his encounter with an alleged stalker has left everyone scared.
By Medha Sengupta · AUG 7, 2026
Kate Middleton's latest Wimbledon outfit wasn't all-new—and that's exactly what caught fashion fans' attention!
By Mehak Walia · JUL 13, 2026
Getting invited to the Swift-Kelce wedding became a race, a status symbol, as numerous high-profile individuals lobbied to get an inside pass.
By Mary Anthony · JUL 6, 2026
Prince William joked about Travis Kelce’s most memorable moment being outside his football career.
By Mary Anthony · JUL 3, 2026
Princess Anne stepped out in this iconic dress from 1984 and royal fans are impressed!
By Hrishita Das · JUN 27, 2026
Kate Middleton and Melinda Gates reportedly came together at Windsor Castle over a shared passion for a cause they both support.
By Ira Deokule · JUN 25, 2026
Prince William and Robert Irwin's appearance at a climate event was meant to inspire change, but fans quickly focused on something else.
By Mary Anthony · JUN 24, 2026
Royal watchers may have spotted a subtle shift in the monarchy during Trooping the Colour 2026, and it's closely aligned with Prince William's long-term plans for the institution.
By Mary Anthony · JUN 13, 2026
As King Charles celebrates Trooping the Colour, actress Helen Mirren has been awarded one of Britain's rarest honors.
By Hrishita Das · JUN 13, 2026
Meghan Markle treats fans to a new family photo carousel featuring Prince Harry, Prince Lilibet, and a sweet nod to pop icon Beyoncé.
By Ira Deokule · JUN 10, 2026