Sydney's £30K "Soundproof" Royal Toilets Remain Unused During King Charles' Visit

Officials in Sydney were left slightly disappointed after hoping King Charles III would make use of the £30,000 soundproof toilets installed for Queen Elizabeth II's visit back in 1992. When His Majesty visited the New South Wales Parliament today, many hoped for a "royal flush" as he attended a brief engagement. The lavishly renovated toilets, part of the Upper House President's office suite, were originally upgraded for the late Queen's comfort, but she never used them.

Thirty years later, history repeated itself as King Charles did not take a "comfort break," despite some lighthearted anticipation from parliament members.

The toilets were part of a significant refurbishment ahead of Queen Elizabeth’s visit, with AUS$18,000 spent at the time (equivalent to £30,000 today) on soundproofing to ensure maximum privacy. MPs jokingly remarked that Upper House President Ben Franklin had one key performance indicator (KPI) during the visit: to ensure King Charles used the facilities, but their hopes were dashed when the King’s visit lasted just 20 minutes. The monarch briefly met officials and delivered a short speech but refrained from using the now-infamous soundproof bathroom.

Despite this missed opportunity, Sydney welcomed King Charles and Queen Camilla warmly as part of their five-day Australian tour. Arriving at St Thomas' Anglican Church in North Sydney, they were greeted by enthusiastic crowds. Children, fans, and local dignitaries offered flowers, gifts like toy koalas, and even kangaroo jerky. In return, the royals shook hands and chatted with attendees, with King Charles expressing his gratitude for the warm reception.

The royal couple was honored at the church service, where they were introduced to church leaders, including Archbishop Kanishka Raffel and the Bishop of North Sydney. The service included a significant moment when Charles and Camilla signed Australia’s first Bible and a book of common prayer, joining a royal tradition that dates back to Queen Elizabeth's 1954 visit.

Staying at Admiralty House, the official residence of Australia’s governor-general, the King and Queen began their trip with a stroll along Sydney's north shore, admiring the views of the Opera House. King Charles appeared relaxed in a casual blue shirt, beige jacket, and cream chinos, while Camilla wore a chic dark blue summer dress.

The visit was marked with symbolism, including the lighting of the iconic Sydney Opera House sails, showcasing images of past royal visits. This lighting was organized despite a similar coronation-related proposal being canceled due to budget constraints earlier in the year. This visit marks King Charles and Queen Camilla's first trip to Australia since Charles ascended to the throne in 2022.

The royal couple’s tour has been filled with heartfelt moments, historical significance, and plenty of photo opportunities. However, the unused £30,000 soundproof toilets stand as a quirky reminder of royal visits past and present.

While King Charles III's visit to New South Wales Parliament was brief, local officials had hoped he would use the £30,000 soundproof toilet installed for Queen Elizabeth II in 1992. Despite the anticipation, the King did not use the facilities during his engagement.