King Charles faced an unexpected disruption during a formal event at Australia’s Parliament House when Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe shouted "You are not my King" following his address. Thorpe’s protest lasted for about a minute before she was escorted from the venue by security personnel. As the King moved away from the lectern to join Queen Camilla, Thorpe approached the front of the assembly. In her outburst, she made allegations of genocide against Indigenous peoples and asserted, "This is not your land, you are not my King."
This visit marks King Charles’s first trip to Australia since ascending to the throne in September 2022. The ceremony continued without addressing the interruption, and the royal couple proceeded to greet the public outside Parliament House. In Australia, the King functions as the head of state and his visit inevitably stirred discussions about the historical relationship between the monarchy and Indigenous Australians.
A strong advocate for a treaty with the first peoples of Australia, Thorpe represents the voice of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals who emphasize that their sovereignty was never surrendered. Following the incident, she expressed her desire to convey a "clear message" to the monarchy, stating, "To be sovereign you have to be of the land. He is not of this land." She called upon King Charles to encourage Parliament to consider establishing a peace treaty with Indigenous communities, emphasizing the need for acknowledgment of past injustices.
Despite Thorpe's protest, many Australian citizens lined up in the sweltering heat to welcome the royal family. Some expressed pride in their connection to the monarchy, attributing it to their cultural identity. One attendee, Jamie Karpas, who previously met Prince Harry and Meghan, commented, “I think the Royal Family are part of the Australian culture. They are a big part of our lives,” evidencing the mixed feelings surrounding royal engagements.
The royal couple's arrival in Canberra was greeted with a traditional welcome by Ngunnawal Elder Aunty Serena Williams and ceremonial music, including the sound of a digeridoo. King Charles, addressing Indigenous issues, reflected on how traditional wisdom has shaped his experiences, acknowledging the nation’s ongoing difficulties towards reconciliation. However, Thorpe’s outspoken condemnation directly confronted the monarchy’s relationship with its colonial past at a pivotal moment.
As discussions on removing the monarchy gain momentum in Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who supports republicanism, remains committed to delaying a public referendum on the issue. Recent years have shown fluctuating support for a republic, yet the outcome of previous referenda limits possibilities in the near future.
Despite health concerns leading to a shorter schedule for King Charles’s tour, the government hopes his visit will provide a platform for healing and dialogue. Ultimately, the contrasting receptions to the royal couple reflect broader societal divisions, as the nation grapples with its colonial legacy and the call for a more inclusive future.
