AMount Gambier venue has joined historic Penola homestead Yallum Park in providing a bed for a future monarch.
King Charles the Third visited the South East region 42 years ago to officially open the new Mount Gambier civic building which is now known as the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre.
A plaque in the foyer marks this gala occasion.
Then known as the Prince of Wales, he spent the night at an upstairs room at the nearby Jens Hotel.
Another royal visitor to the region was Prince George who stayed overnight with his elder brother Prince Albert Victor at Yallum Park 100 years before the current king in 1881.
Their hosts were pioneering pastoralist, grazier and politician John Riddoch.
Prince George ascended the throne as King George the Fifth in 1910 and was the great grandfather of King Charles.
Three successive generations of the Clifford family have run Yallum Park for over 100 years and the bedroom where Prince George stayed is called the King’s Room to this day.
Meanwhile, the room with a royal association at Jens Hotel can be used by the general public.
The SE Voice journalist and unabashed royalist “Fred” Smith ticked off an item on his bucket list when he spent a night in the room.
“I was in Mount Gambier last week reporting on the Liberal Party community forum and I was not too keen on making that roo-infested 50km drive back to my home in Millicent late at night,” Mr Smith said.
“I checked my accommodation options in Mount Gambier and found out that Jens had the so-called Prince Charles room available at an affordable price.
“I booked in straightway at this venue as it had been on my ‘to do’ list ever since I moved from Adelaide to Millicent in 1982.
“When I opened the door, I found a large room with all the essentials for a comfortable stay.
“The double bed was comfy while the shower proved to be hot and strong.
“There were modern appliances while the furniture was functional.
“Best of all was the door which opened directly on to the verandah with its grand art deco pillars.
“This provided magnificent views of the Cave Garden and Town Hall.
“The year 1981 was momentous for Prince Charles as he married the Lady Diana Spencer.
“The association between Jens Hotel and Prince Charles does not appear to be well known.
“Perhaps interest in the Royal Family is waning.
“Nevertheless, it would good for Jens Hotel to erect a plaque along the lines of ‘King Charles slept here’.
“After all, the new king has had few overnight stops in South Australia other than basing himself at Government House in Adelaide on six visits in 1977, 1981,1983, 1988,2012 and 2015.”
South Australia’s last royal visitor was Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, in 2018.
