The second edition of The Royal Tour expands on Vincent Namatjira’s thematic exploration initiated in the original 2020 publication. Displayed prominently on the inside covers, Namatjira’s recent paintings continue to navigate the complex intersections of colonialism, power dynamics, and First Nations identity with a remarkable blend of lightness and personal depth.

Created during the COVID-19 lockdown on the APY Lands in remote Central Australia, Namatjira’s artworks featured in his debut artist book defy convention. He paints directly onto the pages of op-shop-found royal photo-books, transforming historical images of royal engagements into intimate and provocative interventions. Amidst these pages, Namatjira inserts himself assertively into the regal settings: waving the Aboriginal flag from the Gold State Coach alongside the Queen, offering a thumbs-up from Buckingham Palace’s balcony, and guiding Charles and Diana through an outback tour.

For Namatjira, whose artistic lineage traces back to his great-grandfather Albert Namatjira's encounters with royalty in the 1950s, these works are not just playful gestures. They serve as critical reflections on power dynamics and colonial legacies, infused with humour, humility, and personal narrative.

Amidst accolades such as becoming the first Indigenous Australian artist to win the Archibald Prize and receiving an Order of Australia Medal in 2020, Namatjira’s artistic practice continues to provoke thought and dialogue, redefining historical narratives and asserting Indigenous presence in contemporary discourse. The expanded second edition of The Royal Tour captures these profound explorations, inviting readers into Namatjira’s world of wit, critique, and profound cultural reflection.