King Charles makes large donation to launch new scheme helping Commonwealth students

The King has heralded the “power of ” as he launched a new scheme aimed at tackling climate challenge and inequality in the small island states.

Charles made a "significant" personal donation to kick off the programme that will offer fellowships for mid-career professionals, undergraduate , and PhDs.

The Association of Commonwealth (ACU) has announced the launch of a King's Commonwealth Fellowship Programme inspired by Charles and his life's work to create opportunity and to tackle contemporary challenges including and inequality.

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The project has been developed in response to urgent economic, social and environmental development challenges affecting small island developing states (Sids).

The King said: "I am delighted to support this important new initiative. Throughout my life I have believed in the power of education to improve lives and unite communities across the Commonwealth and beyond. There is so much we can learn from one another as we work together within the Commonwealth to tackle the major challenges of our age and, as these fellowships do in small island developing states, to address them where they are felt most acutely.

"It is my fervent hope that these new fellowships will play a significant role in furthering the free exchange of knowledge and advancing the spirit of mutual support that lies at the heart of our Commonwealth - today, tomorrow and towards a brighter future for all."

The new academic programme will offer fellowships for mid-career professionals, undergraduate scholarships, and PhDs with activities taking place in-country, with an emphasis on local impact and retaining skills and talent in Sids regions. The programme aims to strengthen climate resilience, build capacity in education, health and engineering, and develop resilient public services and the skills of those who support them.

The Commonwealth has 25 small island developing states, including the Pacific nations of Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

The announcement was made as the King and Queen arrived in Sydney for the start of their historic six day visit to . The royals will arrive in Samoa on Wednesday for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, a summit of 56 member nations, his first as head of the commonwealth.

Today Charles and Camilla were welcomed by locals for a church service in St Thomas’ Church in Sydney. Ellie Mantle, wife of Rector Micky Mantle, took youngsters from St Thomas’ Church Sunday School to meet the royal guests. And brought a rugby ball, ball and stuffed Koala, as gifts for King’s grandchildren George, Charlotte and Louis.

She said: “It’s a great honour for us as it’s the first opportunity for the public to see the King and Queen.”

Ten-year-old Abigail Smith, 10, in her Scouts uniform, gave the King a special present. She said: “I drew a picture of a kangaroo and gave it to him. He said ‘you are very kind’. I did it because the kangaroo is an Australian animal. I think he liked it.”

Joe Ackland, 48, of Melbourne, said: “It was amazing. I asked him if he would be going to go surfing or swimming on Manley Beach and he said ‘if I was a younger man’.”

Lisa Knezevic, 43, of Sydney, said: “I want to let him know how we appreciate he made the really big trip. I’m just excited and grateful he has made the journey and so I’ve come to support him.”

Sheffield-born Ryan Gilpin, 33, has lived in Sydney for the last eleven years, said: “I’ve been waiting 33 years for this moment because I just love the King and the .”

Anti-monarchy protesters were at the first engagement around 100 metres away with a banner reading Empire Built on Genocide. Separately nine men and women, who said they were not part of a named group, held a banner reading Decolonise. One of them held a Palestine and Lebanon flag. Another, called Lizzy Jarrett, wore an Abolish the Monarchy t-shirt with Queen Elizabeth's face. She said the group was there to protest against British rule and return of Aboriginal land.