THE Sun’s photographer Arthur Edwards was awarded a gong on his 31st trip Down Under to cover the Royal Family — as the King told him “take it easy”.
Arthur, 84, was presented with the Governor-General’s Medallion at Admiralty House in Sydney.
The honour — which recognises significant contributions to Australia — was given as the King and Queen rounded off their successful six-day visit to Oz.
Arthur took time out to chat with Their Majesties and catch up with all the events of the past few days after covering every minute of the trip.
And before he took the final photo of the couple waving goodbye, the King, 75, who has paused his cancer treatment to fly 10,000 miles to honour the invite from the Australian PM, told The Sun’s long-serving photographer to “pace himself”.
The King and Queen then jetted to Samoa in the South Pacific for a State Visit, which will include the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Arthur has covered Australian trips with the late Queen and Prince Philip, Charles and Di, Fergie and Andrew, William and Kate as well as Prince Harry.
He said of his award from Governor-General Sam Mostyn: “The King must have told her all about me and that I’ve been doing this for more than 40 years.
“She came over and said ‘I want to say thank you for everything you’ve done’.
“She gave me the medallion and it was a lovely surprise. I’m always surprised when the King comes up and talks to me as I don’t expect it.
“I’ve come to photograph the Royal Family for so many years, but this has been the best one ever.
"Not only the way the Australian public have received them, but the way it’s been received in Britain.
“The King wanted to come to Australia as he has been coming for 60 years and as he said he loves Australia.
“He told me to take it easy and pace myself. I’d love to come back if the King comes back one day, but who knows.”
Arthur was made an MBE in the 2003 Queen’s New Year Honours List for his services to the newspaper industry.
On his first trip Down Under with the royals in 1981, bachelor Prince Charles stripped off to his swimming trunks and swam in the sea off Bondi beach.
And in 1983 he covered Charles and Diana’s five-week visit when they took along nine-month-old Prince William.
He was also there in 2011 with the Queen for what would be her last tour Down Under.
The King and Queen looked refreshed as they touched down yesterday in capital Apia in the South Pacific, greeted by a Samoan Police Force guard of honour.
The Queen emerged from the Royal Australian Air Force plane wearing a pink tunic and wide trousers.
The King waved on the aircraft’s stairs in a grey suit and blue tie. Samoa’s PM Fiame Naomi Mata’afa has encouraged him to dress down for the four-day visit to fit the laid-back “island vibe”.
After an exhausting trip, the couple had the evening off. Today, they will receive an official ceremonial welcome.
They will also visit a traditional village and embark on a mangrove walk.
The King will address the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting with leaders from 56 nations on Friday.
