King Charles III encountered unexpected opposition during his visit to Australia’s Parliament House on Monday when Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe shouted, “You are not my king,” following his speech. Thorpe, a DjabWurrung Gunnai Gunditjmara woman, demanded the return of Indigenous land, claiming, “Give us our land back, give us what you stole,” as security escorted her from the room. The protest occurred during the royal couple’s meeting with Australian leaders, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
In his address, King Charles acknowledged the contributions of Australia’s First Nations people, emphasizing the value of their shared stories and cultures. Despite the royal couple being welcomed with a traditional Aboriginal ceremony, many Indigenous Australians feel excluded from the monarchy’s celebrations, given the historical context of British colonization that resulted in significant trauma and discrimination for Indigenous communities. Thorpe has long advocated for a treaty and has criticized the monarchy for its colonial legacy.
While King Charles and Queen Camilla participated in a series of engagements, including planting trees at Parliament House, the visit was marred by protests and the reminder of the ongoing issues faced by Indigenous Australians. The royal couple is set to continue their tour in Sydney and later travel to Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
