Prince Harry has dedicated Fraser Island, or K’gari as it is known by the Traditional Owners the Butchulla people, to the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy, an initiative established in honour of Her Majesty.
Harry, without pregnant wife Meghan, was greeted by the Butchulla People and took part in a traditional Welcome to Country smoking ceremony.He spoke under the island’s satinay trees in Pile Valley, some up to 1,000 years old and used to build the London docks in the 1930s.
“Today we are here to dedicate this island to the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy,” he said. “An initiative established in honour of my grandmother, the Queen’s lifetime of service to the Commonwealth.
“This is actually the second time this plaque has been unveiled which I know is highly unusual.
“The first time was by my father the Prince of Wales in Bundaberg earlier this year when he was visiting.”
Harry continued, “I now have the privilege of unveiling it in situ.
“I know that my father came to K’Gari in 1994 for a day off during a royal tour so he has an appreciation of the importance of this place.
“Luckily we are both highly skilled when it comes to unveiling plaques…It runs in the family.”
Prince Philip is known to regularly call himself the “world’s most experience plaque-unveiler.”
Prince Harry will conclude his day travelling to Kingfisher Bay for a walkabout along the jetty.
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