Royalty for region: Prince Charles to visit Albany

Preparations have begun to give the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall a royal welcome to Albany when the couple visits our city as part of a 12-day tour of Australia and New Zealand next month.

Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla's visit will be the city's first royal visit since Prince Charles visited in 1979 during a celebratory tour of the State for its sesquicentenary. Previously Queen Elizabeth II commemorated the 150th anniversary of the first British settlement in Albany in March 1977.

The royal couple will mark the centenary of Gallipoli at the National Anzac Centre and view the point where the troop convoys departed in 1914.

While itinerary details are yet to be confirmed, Albany Mayor Dennis Wellington said early indications were that the royal couple would celebrate Prince Charles's 67th birthday in Cottesloe before a fleeting visit to Albany on the afternoon of November 14.

Mr Wellington said the royal visit was "huge" news for Albany.

"I think it's absolutely fantastic," he said.

"It will be huge, and the interest that has already been created is fantastic."

Mr Wellington said he had been aware of plans for the visit for some time but did not receive confirmation from the Prime Minister's office until Tuesday evening.

"We were aware it was coming because we'd had a visit from about 21 of the entourage, including members of the Prince's personal staff, press and security about six weeks ago to scope out the visit," he said.

Mr Wellington said he hoped the community, in particular the city's children, would line the streets to welcome the royal couple.

"We would hope as many people as possible get to see them, and (Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla) get to see as much as possible of Albany and its surrounds, bearing in mind we've only got them for a short time."

Mr Wellington said he expected it would be a huge task to prepare for the royal visit, but last year's Anzac Albany event proved the city could "take on big jobs and run them successfully".

Given the visit coincides with the Albany show, Agricultural Society president Rob Wright said it would be an "amazing" opportunity to show them the region's produce, people and resources if they were to attend.

The Prince and Duchess will spend Remembrance Day in Canberra where they will attend a national ceremony at the Australian War Memorial.