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Alpaca fluffs its lines and sneezes in front of King

Charles and Camilla received huge cheers as they walked from the Australian War Memorial to meet well-wishers.

The King is greeted by an alpaca in a crown at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra
The King is greeted by an alpaca in a crown at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra (Victoria Jones/PA)

The King was left in “disbelief” after a crown-wearing alpaca dressed in a suit with a gold bow tie sneezed as he went to say hello.

The animal was calmly waiting with its owner among hundreds of well-wishers to meet the King outside the Australian War Memorial in Canberra when he committed the social gaff.

Robert Fletcher had brought his nine-year-old alpaca – named Hefner as his mother was called Playgirl – on its lead to meet the King.

The King reacts after meeting Hefner the alpaca
The King reacts after meeting Hefner the alpaca (Victoria Jones/PA)

But when Charles stroked his nose the animal sneezed and those around him laughed.

Mr Fletcher said afterwards: “I got to shake his hand and then Hefner sneezed.

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“The King just looked in disbelief. But it’s just who Hefner is. He is an alpaca after all.”

Mr Fletcher, of Goulburn, New South Wales, uses his alpaca as a support animal for charities and nursing homes.

Queen Camilla was given a soft toy as she met one well-wisher
Queen Camilla was given a soft toy as she met one well-wisher (Victoria Jones/PA)

He added: “My wife found the crown and thought it was fitting. I think he loves his crown very much.

“He has lots of outfits but it’s a special day so he is in a suit and bow tie as well. He doesn’t bite and he doesn’t spit. He’s always on his best behaviour anyway.

“And he is a pro-monarchy alpaca.”

Charles and Camilla received huge cheers as they walked from the Australian War Memorial to meet well-wishers after leaving floral tributes in honour of Australia’s war dead.

The King and Queen view the Wall of Remembrance during a visit to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra
The King and Queen view the Wall of Remembrance during a visit to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra (Ian Vogler/The Daily Mirror/PA)

Thousands lined the walkway and among the crowds was John Mordes, 21, who took time off work to see the King and Queen.

He said: “He asked me if I was off university and I said I should be in work instead.

“I came down because he is the King (and Queen) and I don’t know when I will ever see them again.”