King Charles Queen Camilla Australia visit: Why monarch did not appear at The Everest races King Charles III Stakes races despite massive publicity stunt [Video]

OPINION — Had it happened, it would have been the coup of the year: King Charles and Queen Camilla trackside at The Everest.

But, alas, it was not meant to be. And according to many royal insiders – and indeed Buckingham Palace – King Charles and Queen Camilla were never intending on making a surprise appearance at the event in Sydney on Saturday.

Put simply, had the King and Queen paused their day of rest to watch the race, the optics would have been less than favourable.

READ MORE: Why King Charles’ visit to Australia had to happen now

If the King did appear at Royal Randwick it would have been a bad look during what is a scaled-back royal visit to Australia. Their Majesties are in town until Wednesday, with engagements happening …