King Charles recently encountered significant protest during his visit to Australia, specifically in Canberra, where he faced vocal opposition from an independent senator. Lidia Thorpe, an Aboriginal Australian senator, interrupted the proceedings by shouting phrases like “you are not my King,” shortly after the King concluded his speech at the Parliament House. Her outburst lasted for about a minute before security personnel escorted her away.
Thorpe’s protest was rooted in her strong beliefs regarding the treatment of Aboriginal Australians. She accused the British monarchy of committing acts of genocide against Indigenous peoples, asserting, “This is not your land, you are not my King.” Her sentiments reflect a broader dialogue about Australia’s colonial past and the ongoing struggles faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, including their claim that they never surrendered their sovereignty to the Crown.
While Thorpe’s actions sparked controversy, some Aboriginal leaders criticized her approach. Aunty Violet Sheridan, an Aboriginal elder who had earlier welcomed the King and Queen, deemed Thorpe’s protest disrespectful, stating, “She does not speak for me.” The ceremony continued without addressing the disruption, and King Charles and Queen Camilla proceeded to meet a large crowd of well-wishers outside.
As a Commonwealth nation, Australia recognizes the King as its head of state, although there has been increasing discussion about whether to sever ties with the monarchy. Thorpe, who has been a long-time advocate for a treaty between the Australian government and its Indigenous peoples, pointed out that Australia is the only former British colony without such a treaty. Her actions aimed to communicate a clear message to the King, emphasizing that he does not represent the land nor the Indigenous peoples of Australia.
In an interview following her protest, Thorpe stated, “To be sovereign you have to be of the land. He is not of this land.” She also urged the King to use his influence to prompt discussions in Parliament about establishing a peace treaty with Indigenous peoples. She emphasized that true reconciliation and nation-building could only occur if the country acknowledges its colonial past and the implications it has for Aboriginal communities.
Thorpe, who donned a traditional possum skin cloak during her protest, expressed her views on the late Queen Elizabeth II, whom she described as “colonizing.” Her commitment to representing the rights and voices of Indigenous peoples is evident in her legislative work and public statements.
The issue of disparities between First Nations peoples and the broader Australian population has been a long-standing concern, with significant gaps in health, wealth, and educational outcomes. This situation adds complexity to the discussions surrounding the monarchy and Australia’s future governance.
Despite the disruption caused by Thorpe’s protest, a significant number of Australians expressed enthusiasm for the royal visit. Many queued outside Parliament House to greet King Charles and Queen Camilla, waving Australian flags in support. For some attendees, like Jamie Karpas, the royal family represents a vital part of Australian culture and history. She shared her excitement about seeing the royals, drawing a comparison to the recent visit by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Other attendees, including CJ Adams, a student at the Australian National University, acknowledged the King’s position within the British monarchy and regarded his visit as an opportunity to experience an important aspect of Australia’s historical ties with the United Kingdom.
The royal visit was always anticipated to address Australia’s complex history with its Indigenous peoples. However, Thorpe’s intervention brought this topic to the forefront of the ceremony in an unanticipated manner. Earlier in the day, the King and Queen had been greeted by a diverse reception of politicians, schoolchildren, and representatives from Indigenous communities, including Ngunnawal Elder Aunty Serena Williams.
During his speech, King Charles acknowledged the significance of Indigenous communities, stating that his own experiences had been profoundly shaped by traditional wisdom. He remarked, “In my many visits to Australia, I have witnessed the courage and hope that have guided the nation’s long and sometimes difficult journey towards reconciliation.” However, Thorpe’s protest interrupted this moment, forcing the royal couple to confront the ongoing tensions in Australia’s history with its Indigenous populations more directly than anticipated.
Thorpe’s actions drew mixed reactions, with some Aboriginal leaders expressing disappointment at the disruption, particularly given King Charles’s health condition. Aunty Sheridan conveyed her concerns, noting, “The King’s not well. He’s going through chemo and he didn’t need this. I surely appreciate him visiting here. It may be the last time he comes. Heaps of people share my thoughts.”
Buckingham Palace did not formally respond to Thorpe’s protest, choosing instead to highlight the supportive crowds that had come to see the King and Queen. A palace source remarked that the royal couple felt deeply touched by the enthusiastic turnout from the public.
The question of Australia’s future as a monarchy or a republic has been a topic of discussion for decades. In 1999, a referendum was held to gauge public sentiment on the issue, but it resulted in a resounding defeat for those advocating for a republican system. Recent polls indicate that support for republicanism has increased in the years since, especially with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, a self-identified republican, at the helm. However, his government has dismissed the idea of holding another referendum in the near future, particularly after a failed referendum concerning Indigenous recognition last year.
King Charles’s visit, occurring during a year when he is undergoing treatment for cancer, marks his first trip to Australia since taking over the role from his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. Due to his health considerations, this tour is notably shorter than previous royal visits.
A lighter moment during the day unfolded when the King interacted with an alpaca adorned with a small crown, bringing a brief sense of levity to the proceedings after his visit to the war memorial in Canberra. The royal couple also participated in tree planting at Government House, and the King, known for his long-standing commitment to environmental issues, visited the National Bushfire Behaviour Research Laboratory.
The Kazan summit and events like King Charles’s visit to Australia highlight the evolving dynamics of global and national identities, particularly as discussions about sovereignty, reconciliation, and historical grievances gain prominence. While some see the royal family as integral to Australia’s cultural identity, others like Thorpe continue to advocate for recognition and reparative measures for Indigenous peoples, illustrating the complex landscape of contemporary Australian society.
