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Video of King Charles sneezed on by an alpaca while greeting crowds in Australia goes viral: ‘So adorable’

The nine-year-old alpaca donned a bow tie, a suit, and a gold crown on his head as he greeted King Charles at the Australian War Memorial.

The nine-year-old alpaca greeted King Charles at Australian War Memorial (Image source: @DuncanCStone/X)

King Charles had an ‘adorable’ encounter with an alpaca while visiting Canberra during his royal tour with Queen Camilla in Australia. Hephner, a nine-year-old alpaca, stole the spotlight by sneezing on the King as he stopped to pat it.

The viral clip shows the alpaca donning a bow tie, a suit, and a gold crown on his head. When it was Hephner’s turn to greet, he sneezed on the King just as he extended his hand to pat his head. The unanticipated move broke everyone into laughter. According to People magazine, Hephner was permitted to stand with the crowd at the Australian War Memorial for a royal greeting. Owned by Robert Fletcher from Goulburn, New South Wales, Hephner is a support animal for charities and nursing homes.

Sharing the video, an X handle @DuncanCStone wrote, “Their Majesties meeting the crowds at the Australian War Memorial including Hephner the Alpaca. ‘Bless you’ as Hephner sneezes on The King’s arm.”

Watch here:

Their Majesties meeting the crowds at the Australian War Memorial including Hephner the Alpaca. ‘Bless you’ as Hephner sneezes on The King’s arm. #RoyalVisitAustralia #KingCharles #canberra #royalcameraman pic.twitter.com/GvXbqJzgQB

— Duncan Stone (@DuncanCStone) October 21, 2024

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The video quickly gained traction, amassing nearly 40,000 views. Reacting to it, a user wrote, “It must be admitted that King Charles’ calmness and self-control were the best. God bless him.” Another user commented, “I didn’t know there were alpacas in Australia.”

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“Yes I pray so may God bless and protect the king,” a third user reacted. “So adorable,” another user commented.

Later in the day, King Charles’ speech was interrupted by Indigenous Senator Lidia Thorpe, who shouted “You are not our King. Give us our land back. Give us what you stole from us.” Thorpe demanded the return of the Indigenous land, further calling for an apology for the colonisation of Australia.

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