An Aboriginal protester has been arrested at the Sydney Opera House as thousands anticipated the arrival of the King and Queen on their final day in Australia.
Large crowds gathered at the harbourside forecourt, where the royal couple was scheduled to visit on Tuesday afternoon.
Wayne Wharton, a well-known Indigenous activist from Brisbane, was taken into custody after shouting anti-monarchist slogans and defying a police order to disperse.
This incident follows increasing backlash over an Aboriginal senator’s heckling of King Charles during a visit to Canberra, drawing condemnation from various politicians and Indigenous leaders regarding her actions.
Wharton yelled, “he’s not my King,” mirroring the sentiments expressed by Senator Lidia Thorpe the previous day.
The crowd, many waving miniature Union Jack flags, responded with shouts of “God save the King.”
Wharton had previously protested outside a church service attended by the royal couple on Sunday.
As he was placed into a police van, members of the crowd responded with applause for the officers.
Many in attendance had been waiting since early Tuesday, some draped in British flags and others wearing royal-themed jewelry and accessories.
“We want to celebrate our country and all the people in it,” said Karen Clark, who attended with her young sons, both dressed in crowns and capes.
“We grew up with the King; celebrating his birthday is a family tradition that we cherish.”
Bettina Bethuel, who joined the event with her friend Taja Shephard, expressed mixed feelings about the senator’s heckling.
“I thought it was a bit rude, though I understand her intent for Indigenous representation,” Shephard commented. “However, her approach was inappropriate.”
The independent senator’s protest has received praise from some Indigenous activists as courageous but has also been labeled “embarrassing” and disrespectful by other significant Aboriginal voices.
Her actions have faced considerable criticism from fellow parliamentarians.
Nellie Pollard-Wharton, who witnessed her father’s arrest, found it “laughable” that crowds were cheering as he was taken away for advocating for his rights.
“It echoes what many Australians say to us — to get over it; it’s been long enough,” she stated. “But we must continue to resist for our rights, to pursue treaties, to ensure the health and safety of our people, and to be able to self-determine our future.”
Meanwhile, King Charles began his Tuesday with a visit to the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Redfern, where he engaged with Aboriginal elders.
He later participated in a community picnic in Parramatta, amusing attendees by trying his hand at cooking sausages on a barbecue and interacting with a sheepdog.
