She accepted a posy from Ky, who has a severe blood condition known as aplastic anaemia, after she arrived at Sydney airport with the King for their landmark visit to Australia.

Ky's life was saved by a bone marrow transplant from his sister Charlotte, who was by his side as he presented the flowers to the royal, organised by the Make-A-Wish charities in the UK and Australia.

As well as the youngsters from Adelaide, the royal couple met a line of dignitaries including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, his fiancee Jodie Haydon and the country's governor general Sam Mostyn as they stepped off the plane.

Kensington Palace later released an official photo of the King and Queen with the prime minister and Ms Haydon.

The six-day trip is the King's first visit to Australia as monarch and will see the couple visit Sydney as well as the capital Canberra.

As they arrived, the Royal Family's official X account posted a picture of the Sydney Opera House, featuring projected images of royal tours from over the years.

The post read: "Thank you for the special welcome, Australia! The King and Queen have touched down in Sydney to begin their visit.

"The visit marks His Majesty's first visit to a Realm as Sovereign."

Despite being in the country for nearly a week, there is only two and a half days of organised visits, to ensure the King has time to rest as he continues to receive treatment for cancer.

The King and Queen will later travel to Samoa for a three-day state visit and meet world leaders taking part in a Commonwealth heads of government meeting, which the monarch will formally open.

'Charles would be my favourite'

When asked about where his interest in the royals came from, Ky said it was sparked after his father bought him royal-themed toys from his holidays in England.

"I just like their personality as well and what they do with charities is really nice - probably Charles would be my favourite," he said.

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His wish to meet the royal couple was also in part inspired by the late Queen Elizabeth II having tea with Paddington Bear during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022.

He also enjoyed watching the King's Coronation last year.