The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will receive a warm Queensland welcome when they visit Fraser Island (K’gari) today, where a plaque will be unveiled, dedicating the site to the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy (QCC).
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will join The Duke and Duchess during their time on K'Gari.
The day will include a meeting with local elders of the Butchulla People and National Park rangers to learn about the cultural significance of the world’s largest sand island and its rich biodiversity.
There will also be a traditional Welcome to Country Smoking Ceremony and visit a beach to hear about the island’s logging history.
"This is an exciting day for K’gari and for Queensland because Their Royal Highnesses are helping to preserve one of our most iconic regions for future generations to enjoy," the Premier said.
"K’gari is a World Heritage-listed area of outstanding natural beauty, it is internationally-renowned for its wonderful beaches, white sands and whale migration, and its significance reaches back thousands of years, so the dedication to the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy is important.
"We are also excited about the wonderful news that Their Royal Highnesses are expecting a baby, and I will pass on congratulations on behalf of Queenslanders."
K’gari and Bulburin National Park were the two Queensland forested areas accepted into the QCC global conservation program.
"We are lucky to live in a State with such a diverse and beautiful natural habitat and it is important we do all we can to care for it," Ms Palaszczuk said.
"Their Royal Highnesses are raising the profile of our rainforest by being here to dedicate the K’gari region to the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy, and I hope they enjoy their visit to Queensland.
"Queensland is the best address on earth with stunning coastal, tropical and hinterland areas, which is why my Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland, is launching a campaign in the United Kingdom to showcase our wonderful part of the world.
"We want to share what we have with our friends in the northern hemisphere and we hope our campaign will attract tourists in their tens of thousands."
