Royal couple’s surprise snub to Gold Coast hotels
PRINCE Charles and Duchess Camilla gave Gold Coast hotels a right royal snubbing during their Queensland tour.
While the couple gave the city a healthy dose of exposure, attending the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony and strolling on Kurrawa Beach, there was one place they didn’t visit – a Gold Coast hotel room.
Instead they stayed at Government House in Brisbane, the official royal residence for Queensland.
It meant the extravagant motorcades that accompanied the royals around the southeast travelled an hour up the M1 each night instead of staying at a local hotel or resort.
It is understood the Royal couple had a room reserved at the Sheraton at Main Beach in case it was needed, but they stayed the nights of their southeast Queensland leg in Brisbane.
As would be expected, the Royal Family has a high-level security requirement, but so does the Prime Minister, who stayed at hotels on the Gold Coast during his Commonwealth Games commitments.
Various state government ministers have also stayed at hotels on the Gold Coast during the Games.
Kate Jones, Queensland’s minister for both tourism and the Games, said the Royal delegation’s decision to overlook Gold Coast hotels was not an issue.
“We’re grateful that we’ve had two royal visits here on the Gold Coast during the Commonwealth Games,” she said.
“I’m advised that this decision was related to security.
“But at the end of the day, the exposure the Gold Coast has received through these visits is more important for the Coast.”
Gold Coast Tourism CEO Martin Winter was also diplomatic.
“Whatever Royal protocol they have in place has to be respected,” he said.