Roll out the red carpet - the Queen is coming.Oprah Winfrey is set to be afforded foreign dignitary status - something usually reserved for high-ranking politicians - when she visits Australia next week.
Winfrey, according to media reports, will be provided with a police escort and a government security detail when she touches down in Sydney.
Not content with mere celebrity status, the federal government has afforded Winfrey the honour of being a "formal guest of government", which comes complete with bodyguards and police escort vehicles, News Limited reported.
Security will be tight in Sydney's CBD with the prospect of road closures as Winfrey tapes her shows at the Opera House on December 14.
A spokeswoman for NSW Premier Kristina Keneally told News Limited the details of the cost to taxpayers for the trip was "yet to be finalised".
Winfrey will reportedly stay at the Intercontinental Hotel or the Shangri-La - the two highest-security hotels in Sydney.
But she's also looking for an "ordinary" Aussie family to stay with while she's here.
Her producers are said to be scouring the country to find one.
Winfrey will travel with an entourage of around 450 - including a group of specially picked loyal fans and production crew members.
Some audience members will also be taking interstate visits, including shopping in Melbourne.
The Winfrey extravaganza has an estimated price tag of $3 million, but it is likely to cost more.
Tourism NSW has contributed "between $1 million and $2 million" and Tourism Victoria is believed to have contributed in excess of $500,000. The other states have also contributed.
Ten will air the two Australian episodes - likely to be worth millions in promotion for Tourism Australia - in January.
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