King Charles Confronted by Senator Thorpe Over Indigenous Sovereignty in Australia

Lidia Thorpe

King Charles encountered a significant protest during his visit to Australia’s Parliament House on the second day of his engagements, when independent senator Lidia Thorpe shouted, “you are not my King” shortly after the King’s address. Thorpe, an Aboriginal Australian, interrupted the ceremony in Canberra, claiming that the monarchy was responsible for genocide against Indigenous peoples.

For approximately a minute, Thorpe vocally expressed her discontent, asserting, “This is not your land, you are not my King,” before being escorted away by security. Her protest drew mixed reactions, with Aboriginal elder Aunty Violet Sheridan, who had welcomed the royal couple, calling Thorpe’s actions “disrespectful” and stating, “She does not speak for me.”

The royal ceremony continued without acknowledging the incident, and King Charles and Queen Camilla proceeded to greet hundreds of supporters who gathered outside Parliament House. Many Australians turned out to show their support for the royals, waving flags and expressing excitement over the visit.

Lidia Thorpe

Thorpe, a long-time advocate for a treaty between the Australian government and its Indigenous peoples, emphasized that Australia is the only former British colony without such an agreement. In a follow-up interview, she reiterated her belief that the King must push Parliament to address a peace treaty with Indigenous peoples, saying, “To be sovereign you have to be of the land. He is not of this land.”

The visit was already set against a backdrop of discussions about Australia’s ties to the monarchy. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, a known republican, met with King Charles just before the protest, but his government has ruled out a referendum on the monarchy in the near future following a recent failed vote on Indigenous recognition.

The royal couple’s agenda included various ceremonial activities, including a traditional welcome marked by the sound of a didgeridoo. King Charles spoke about the significance of Indigenous communities, saying his experiences had been shaped by their traditional wisdom. However, Thorpe’s protest brought immediate attention to the complex issues surrounding Indigenous rights and sovereignty.

Despite the controversy, many citizens expressed their enthusiasm for the royal visit. Jamie Karpas, a young Australian, said, “I think the Royal Family are part of the Australian culture. They are a big part of our lives.”

Earlier in the day, the King shared a lighter moment when he interacted with an alpaca wearing a small crown. The visit is particularly notable as it is Charles’s first since succeeding Queen Elizabeth II and comes during his treatment for cancer, resulting in a shorter itinerary compared to past royal tours.

Buckingham Palace has not officially commented on Thorpe’s protest, focusing instead on the large turnout of supporters who welcomed the King and Queen.