Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, have made their way to Broadbeach on the Gold Coast after touring the Commonwealth Games athletes village and speaking to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

The royal couple unveiled the final Commonwealth Walkway plaque and met with Surf Life Saving nippers during their visit on Thursday afternoon.

Hundreds of families braved the weather and donned their best attire as they arrived early on the beach for a chance to meet the pair.

Keeping good company in the @GC2018 Athletes’ Village is instrumental to success 😉 It was a pleasure for the @CommGamesAUS Para-athletes to meet HRH Prince of Wales @ClarenceHouse and Lucy & @TurnbullMalcolm today! #GreaterTogether pic.twitter.com/wnJ3gnUGgP

— AUS Paralympic Team (@AUSParalympics) April 5, 2018

Broadbeach local Vic Lacgavls said he had not seen members of the Royal family up this close before.

“We’re thrilled to have the royal family here, it’s a shame the Queen couldn’t make it but we’re thrilled to have the Prince here absolutely,” he said.

“I hope he enjoys the short time that he’s here.”

Message from Buckingham Palace

A main focus of the royal tour is community and sustainability.

Students from Robina State High School represented the Gold Coast in discussions about the environment with the royal couple.

Annie, Grace-Maria and Patrick Rilley wore their best outfits to meet Prince Charles and Camilla at Broadbeach. Photo: ABC

On Wednesday night, Prince Charles opened the Commonwealth Games, reading a message from the Queen, which was carried for 388 days in the baton.

Mr Turnbull sat next to the Duchess of Cornwall for the opening ceremony.

“Had a good chat to both of them, they loved it, they were very impressed,” Mr Turnbull said.

Robina High School Year 12 students Kimberly Shrimpton and Andrew Wong raised their concerns about the environment with the royal couple. Photo: ABC

Camilla was spotted during the televised broadcast flicking through the ceremony brochure.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said he had a better vantage point to see the royals and they were in “fine form”.

“They’re wonderful, wonderful people,” he said.

“To get off the plane and do all this tremendous meet and greet and couple of speeches and that – His Royal Highness is in fine form.”

The Prime Minister said he was impressed with the opening show, giving praise to singers Katie Noonan and Delta Goodrem.

“I thought it was amazing, I loved Migaloo, I loved the big beach tableau,” Mr Turnbull said.

“The smoking ceremony was awesome. Look, it was so good, I couldn’t find a fault with it.”

“My wife and I could not be more delighted to be able to join all of you here on the Gold Coast this evening – and the many millions of you who are watching from your homes across the Commonwealth,” The Prince of Wales said @GC2018 Opening Ceremony. #RoyalVisitAustralia #GC2018 pic.twitter.com/7KgR9wiMWQ

— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) April 4, 2018

Mr Turnbull will be back on the Gold Coast next week to watch the swimming finals.

Late on Thursday afternoon, the royal couple split up and the Duchess of Cornwall headed back to Brisbane to watch the track cycling.

Six gold medals are on offer at the Anna Meares Velodrome, with events to include the men’s and women’s team sprint, and the 4000 metre team pursuit.

On the Gold Coast the Prince of Wales will present swimming medals.

The royal couple will head north to Bundaberg and Cairns later in the week, meeting with a number of charity, environment and community organisations.

In the far north, the Prince will end his official Commonwealth Games duties watching a women’s basketball game.

This is the Prince of Wales’s 16th visit to Australia and The Duchess of Cornwall’s third.

-ABC