During his address at Australia’s Parliament House, King Charles encountered a disruptive shout of “you are not my King” from independent senator Lidia Thorpe, marking a significant moment on the second day of his official visit to Australia.
Thorpe interrupted the ceremony in Canberra, vocally protesting for nearly a minute before being escorted away by security personnel.
As the King approached Queen Camilla after his speech, Thorpe could be heard proclaiming, “This is not your land, you are not my King,” while discussing grievances regarding colonization.
The incident unfolded shortly after the royal couple were welcomed with a traditional ceremony, which included a didgeridoo performance and acknowledgment of the Indigenous communities.
Despite the protest, the royal couple continued their schedule, engaging with the public who eagerly awaited their arrivals outside the building. King Charles’s visit marks his first official trip to Australia since taking the throne in September 2022.
Lidia Thorpe, a vocal advocate for Indigenous rights, has long campaigned for a treaty between the Australian government and its Indigenous peoples. Australia remains the only former British colony without such a treaty, with many Native Australians asserting that they never ceded their land or sovereignty.
Following the incident, Thorpe emphasized her intent to send a clear message to the King regarding sovereignty and the need for a peace treaty with Indigenous Australians.
Thorpe, donned in a traditional possum skin cloak, has previously criticized the monarchy’s historical role in colonization and reiterated the call for a treaty during her remarks.
Despite this uproar, many Australians turned out in enthusiastic support of the royal visit, showing their allegiance with Australian flags and excitement over the presence of the King and Queen.
The royal visit is particularly significant as Australia’s history with its Indigenous peoples was spotlighted. King Charles spoke about the importance of traditional wisdom and reconciliation, but Thorpe’s protest added a compelling layer to the dialogue surrounding this visit.
While the monarchy’s future in Australia continues to be a subject of debate, with some advocating for a republic, the current government under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has ruled out an immediate vote on the matter. This visit, occurring in a context of heightened conversation around royal relevance and public sentiment, reflects ongoing tensions within Australian identity and its colonial past.
The trip is brief due to the King’s health circumstances. Earlier, a lighter moment was captured when the King interacted with an alpaca wearing a small crown, a brief reprieve amid the weighty historical discussions prompted by his visit.
