From pride to protests: King and Queen's Sydney visit proves Royals will always be a big draw

Sydney's Opera House was packed with thousands of expectant people hoping to get a glimpse of King Charles and Queen Camilla at their last public viewing.

Queues snaked around the harbour as people travelled into the city, parents rushed at school pick up and workers clocked off early to witness what many regarded as a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Zach Schwermer said he came from a tattoo appointment and risked getting his new piece damaged in the sun just to be part of the moment.

READ MORE: Bukola bought a home. Now she's trapped in a noise nightmare

"It's a historical moment where he's recently become king and she's the first queen besides (Queen Elizabeth II) and I think this will be his last visit to Australia," he said.

"It's something to see them in person versus on TV."

Jenny and Pam Vandervelden said they weren't fans of the royals but still came down from the Blue Mountains to see them for the first time.

"We thought it was a great opportunity, it's a beautiful day and they probably won't be back for years," Pam said.

READ MORE: Global fight against high inflation 'almost won', says economic giant

And others came for different reasons.

A woman, who asked not to be named, was one of a few people there to protest the King and Queen.

"He's not an elected official, there's no reason for us to have him as head of state or to have a monarch in our democracy," she said.

"I think everybody likes to be comfortable in what they're used to and what their parents are used to and accept.

"We're here to show solidarity to the Gadigal people and every other First Nations people gathering here today."

READ MORE: 'Bleak sign of the times': Australian man diagnosed with scurvy

As time crept towards the royals' scheduled arrival, you could feel the anticipation.

Police were on patrol, a sniper was at the ready, journalists went to air and protesters caused a stir with signs reading "down with the crown".

Everyone was waiting for something to happen.

READ MORE: Incoming passenger card for Australian arrivals goes digital

Royal music soon filled the air and helicopters flew in closer as screams and choruses of people saying "I saw them" erupted.

Charles and Camilla stepped out the front doors of the Opera House, waving to people who had waited hours under the hot Australian sun to see them.

"I was really surprised, I was on my dad's shoulders when they were coming through so it was a really great time just watching them come down the stairs," young schoolgirl Annabelle McGrath said.

READ MORE: Super-thin skyscraper, just one apartment wide, planned for Dubai

Annabelle's grandmother, Audrey, said she lives in England but had never seen the King and Queen until they were standing in front of the Opera House.

For Catherine Brown and Michelle Robb, it wasn't their first experience with royalty.

The pair, originally from New Zealand, both met the late Queen Elizabeth II when they were young.

"I actually got to meet her and shake hands with her. It was on my birthday," Robb said.

"She was neat, she was so beautiful and she treated us like she was our nana. I've never forgotten that."

Brown and Robb said seeing Charles and Camilla was a full circle moment for them.

READ MORE: Investigators not ready to release Liam Payne's body to his family

Charles and Camilla were treated to a surprise song and dance number from school children before they boarded naval boat Admiral Hudson for a fleet review.

The pair have officially concluded their first visit as King and Queen in Australia, which was met with some protest activity throughout including Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe's outlash at Parliament House.

But despite how you feel — whether you love them, hate them or don't really care — the royals definitely know how to draw a crowd.