King Charles’ unexpected three words as he hugs survivor of Australia’s ‘stolen generation’

King Charles was seen embracing Uncle James Michael ‘Widdy’ Welsh in a huge hug as he visited the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence in Sydney today as his tour of Australia continues

King Charles was welcomed with open arms as he met a survivor of Australia’s ‘stolen generation’ who were taken from their parents and placed in children’s homes.

Charles exclaimed “hugs are good” as Uncle James Michael ‘Widdy’ Welsh, 72, told him he wasn’t much of a hand shaker. James was taken from his family in Coonamble, in central NSW, when he was eight years old. He was placed in Kinchela boys home and given the number 36.

After being pictured hugging the smiling King at the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence in Sydney, he said: “I told him I was there from the Kinchela Boys organisation and one of the so-called ‘stolen generation’ and he put his hand out to shake my hand. I said to him ‘I’m not much of a hand shaker, I’m more of a hugger or cuddler.

“He said ‘hugs are good’. So I went in for the hug and he gave me one back. That’s my way of making a sense of feeling between people. Shaking hands is not a good way to understand people. A hug is a way of connecting with someone’s aura.

“He made me feel comfortable, it was really good. It was a welcome hug. I welcomed him there and let him know. I’m a survivor of Kinchela Boys school, I was taken away from my parents.” The survivor, known as ‘Widdy’, was among seven siblings taken away from his mother. Hundreds of children were taken away from Indigenous families during four decades during a massive scandal.

Widdy added said: “It was good he was there and he appreciated the hug as he hugged me back. I had a really good feeling about him. I got the feeling he is somebody who genuinely cares. “I wouldn’t mind sitting down and having a yarn with him to be honest and tell him everything that has happened and how to help the children coming up for a better future. Widdy, of the Wailwan indigenous people, added: “There is too much anger around. It was a genuinely good cuddle.”

Elsewhere, Queen Camilla met passionate young readers and leading authors as she visited the Green Square Library in Sydney. Camilla, a long-term advocate for literacy and reading, attended the event to celebrate and promote the role of writing and literacy for young Australians.

She met past participants of the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition and Australian authors to highlight the importance of reading across the Commonwealth in the award-winning underground library beneath Green Square Plaza which opened in 2018.

Camilla was joined by the Deputy Premier of New South Wales, Prudence Car, and met representatives from the NSW Government Department of Education, the Royal Commonwealth Society and the Aboriginal Education Consultative Group. She joined students from across Sydney taking part in a series of writing workshops, before presenting certificates to past participants of the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, an annual competition run by the Royal Commonwealth Society.

Meeting the author Kylie Captain at a table of schoolchildren, Captain told her: “I write about aboriginal culture and what it means to me.” Camilla replied: “That’s wonderful, you’re inspiring people.” Turning to the children, she said: “Would any of you like to read something to me? I’d love to hear your story.” One student, Maya, 10, read out her story called The Lonely Sea.

Next, Camilla joined children from South Sydney High School who were doing a workshop with author Will Kostakis. He told Camilla: “I write coming-of-age stories. I’ve asked them to reflect on the communities they’re part of.” Camilla told the table of aspiring young writers: “There’s a lot of talent there. I can see a lot of budding writers. It’s so important you get the right teacher and the inspiration.”

After presenting four young medal-winners of the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay competition with their certificates, Camilla greeted her friend and former private secretary, Amanda McManus, who had been in Sydney for the royal trip and still works with the Queen on her Reading Room. McManus introduced Camilla to members of local Sydney book clubs and several leading Australian authors, including Thomas Keneally, who wrote Schindler’s Ark which was adapted to become the film Schindler’s List, and Liane Moriarty, author of Big Little Lies.

Camilla also met Matt Cosgrove, author of Macca the Alpaca, and told him: “We had an alpaca yesterday which sadly I missed out on.” Ending the engagement, Camilla posed on the library steps for a group photo with the schoolchildren, authors and book club members before waving to crowds who had gathered outside as she left.