King Charles Faces Protest in Australia as Indigenous Senator Shouts “You Are Not My King”
King Charles faced a protest during his official visit to Australia’s Parliament House in Canberra when Indigenous Senator Lidia Thorpe interrupted his speech with shouts of “You are not my King.” Thorpe’s protest occurred just after the King finished his address and had stepped away from the lectern to rejoin Queen Camilla on stage. The independent senator from Victoria, a vocal advocate for Aboriginal rights, could be heard accusing the monarch of being a symbol of colonial rule, stating, “This is not your land, you are not my King.”
The interruption, which lasted for about a minute before Thorpe was escorted out by security, followed the King’s remarks on reconciliation and his personal experience of learning from Indigenous communities. The royal couple continued with the event after the protest without publicly addressing the incident, but the moment injected an unavoidable tension into a day that was otherwise focused on ceremonial duties and public engagement.
Thorpe, who is of Aboriginal descent, has long been a critic of Australia’s ties to the British monarchy. She has also campaigned for a formal treaty between Australia’s government and its Indigenous people, emphasising that many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people never ceded sovereignty or land to the British Crown. Speaking to the media afterwards, she explained her protest, saying, “To be sovereign you have to be of the land. He is not of this land.”
A Historic Debate on Sovereignty
Thorpe’s protest highlighted Australia’s complicated history with the British monarchy and its impact on Indigenous peoples. Australia remains one of the few former British colonies without a formal treaty with its Indigenous communities, a source of ongoing debate. In recent years, calls for such a treaty have grown louder, particularly from voices like Thorpe, who demand recognition of Aboriginal sovereignty.
She expressed her frustration directly, stating, “We cannot bow to the coloniser, whose ancestors he spoke about in there are responsible for mass murder and mass genocide.” Her criticism extended to the monarchy as an institution, framing her protest within the context of historical wrongs committed against Indigenous Australians. The moment also comes amid ongoing discussions about Australia’s future relationship with the monarchy.
Mixed Reactions from the Australian Public
While Thorpe’s protest was a notable moment, the visit of King Charles and Queen Camilla was met with excitement by many others in Canberra. Hundreds of people had gathered outside the Parliament House in the intense Canberra sun, waving Australian flags and hoping to catch a glimpse of the royal couple. Jamie Karpas, a 20-year-old university student, shared her excitement: “I didn’t know the royals were visiting today, but I’m thrilled. I saw Harry and Meghan last time they were here, and I think the Royal Family is a part of Australia’s culture.”
Another student, CJ Adams, echoed similar sentiments, stating, “He’s the head of state of the British Empire right? You’ve got to take these experiences when they come around.”
Despite Thorpe’s protest, Buckingham Palace has chosen to focus on the overwhelming support from the public during the visit. A Palace spokesperson commented that King Charles and Queen Camilla were “deeply touched by the many thousands who turned out to support them.”
A Symbolic Moment in a Larger Debate
This was King Charles’s first visit to Australia since becoming King, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. As head of the Commonwealth, Charles represents a complex historical relationship between the UK and its former colonies, a fact that was underscored by Thorpe’s protest. The royal couple had been greeted earlier in the day with a traditional welcome ceremony from the Ngunnawal people, the traditional custodians of Canberra’s land, including the sound of a didgeridoo, adding cultural depth to the day’s events.
The King, in his speech, touched on Indigenous issues, mentioning how his personal experiences had been “shaped and strengthened by such traditional wisdom.” He acknowledged Australia’s “long and sometimes difficult journey” toward reconciliation. Yet, as Thorpe’s protest reminded everyone, this journey remains incomplete for many Australians, particularly those from Indigenous communities.
Australia has a long-standing debate about whether to sever ties with the British monarchy and become a republic. In 1999, a referendum on the issue resulted in a resounding vote to remain a constitutional monarchy, but public opinion appears to have shifted in recent years. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who greeted the King in Canberra, has previously voiced support for Australia becoming a republic, though his government has shelved any plans for a new referendum in the short term following the defeat of a recent Indigenous recognition proposal.
A Lighter Moment for the Royals
Amid the protests and formalities, there were also lighter moments during the day. King Charles, known for his love of animals, stopped to pet an alpaca that had been dressed in a small crown by one of the attendees. The gesture, which delighted onlookers, highlighted the often informal and personable nature of the royal visits that continue to captivate Australians.
As the royal couple continue their engagements in Australia, the question of the monarchy’s future in the country looms large. For now, it seems that the British royals retain a place in the hearts of many Australians, but protests like Thorpe’s underscore that this connection remains a subject of ongoing debate.
For more updates on King Charles’s visit and insights into Australia’s ongoing relationship with the British monarchy, visit EyeOnLondon.
