Charles is crowned at last – in white feathers!
One day he will have a crown of his own. But yesterday Prince Charles had to make do with a less precious version – a feather- stringed headdress presented to him by a group of indigenous Australians.
The prince was given the eye-catching headwear, called a malka string, and a string basket known as a bathi or dilly bag, during a colourful traditional Aboriginal welcome to the northern Territory.
Stepping off the plane in the town of Gove, he was also handed a woomera – a device that allows hunters to throw their spears with greater ferocity – as he was greeted by Aboriginal leader Galar-
rwuy Yunupingu. Sixteen years ago his father, Prince Philip, had gaffed, asking whether aboriginals still threw spears – now used only for hunting – at each other. Mr Yunupingu joked that he gave Charles the woomera ‘for his protection in case someone throws a spear at him’.
Charles, 69, joined a procession to the top of sacred Nhulun hill and watched members of the rirratingu clan, in traditional headdresses and war paint, dance in his honour. touring an arts centre in Yirrkala, the prince took part in a Yidaki healing ceremony, where a didgeridoo was blown close to his chest. Charles declared he felt ‘better already’ after the spiritual blessing by the world didgeridoo master Djalu Gurriwiwi, who blew a hollow drone from the wooden instrument.
the prince, who wore a stone-coloured suit and brown brogues in the 33C (91F) heat, spoke to people whose work was displayed at the centre. at one point, he could not contain his amusement when a woman’s phone rang as he was about to shake her hand. ‘Shall we see who it is?’ he joked.
Charles said it was the furthest north he had ventured on 16 trips to australia. he later visited the royal Flying Doctor Service’s tourist centre in Darwin. he has donated thousands to the teams caring for people in isolated areas, and is patron of the UK Friends of the rFDS.
Charles was completing his tour, which ends today, on his own as Camilla has returned home – even though it meant they were apart for their wedding anniversary yesterday.