For the first time, a British monarch will join in with the traditional indigenous ritual of cleansing and respect for the land. The King is to become the first monarch to participate in a “smoking ceremony”, as he puts Australia ’s indigenous communities at the heart of his first royal visit since his cancer diagnosis . The King will join the traditional event with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Sydney this week, and observe another in Canberra .
The ceremonies are rituals of welcome and protection, used to ward off bad spirits, cleanse people spiritually, and acknowledge ancestors and the land. The late Queen Elizabeth II is witnessed the ceremonies during her own visits to Australia, but King Charles is thought to be the first monarch to actively take part..