King Charles III Faces Indigenous Protest During Australian Parliament Visit

During his visit to Australia's Parliament, King Charles III faced a shocking disruption when Indigenous senator Lidia Thorpe yelled accusations against the monarchy, underscoring unresolved colonial issues.

King Charles III's visit to Australia was marked by a confrontation that reverberated through the chamber of Parliament as Indigenous senator Lidia Thorpe made her stance against the monarchy clear. Just as the king concluded his speech, Thorpe's voice pierced through, exclaiming, “You are not our king.” Dressed in a traditional possum skin cloak, she demanded the return of Aboriginal land and called attention to the colonial past of Britain, declaring, “Give us what you stole from us.”

As security assisted in escorting Thorpe from the assembly, she continued her passionate protests about the treatment of Indigenous people, accusing British colonizers of committing acts of genocide. Her remarks included a heart-wrenching recount of loss: “Our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people. You destroyed our land.” While the king and Queen Camilla maintained their composure, Thorpe's assertive message echoed outside the chamber, where she was heard voicing further criticism of Australia's colonial status.

The incident bears historical significance, as Thorpe is known for her activism within Indigenous rights and has previously made headlines for her bold statements regarding the monarchy. In a past parliamentary ceremony, she notably declared the then-queen, Elizabeth II, a “colonizing” figure, demonstrating her intention to advocate for reparations and treaties that align with the views of many Indigenous Australians.

Buckingham Palace refrained from commenting directly on Thorpe's outburst. An official, who chose to remain unnamed, conveyed that the royal couple appreciated the numerous supporters who came out to welcome them, emphasizing that they regretted not being able to interact with all of them during their reception.

King Charles's trip is noteworthy, being his first visit to Australia as king and amid concerns regarding his health following a cancer diagnosis reported earlier this year. His travel plans are structured with ample rest periods, including downtime after his arrival. Following Australia, the king is scheduled to continue to Samoa for a meeting with Commonwealth leadership, where discussions related to Britain's colonial legacy—such as potential reparations for the slave trade—are anticipated to surge again.

The confrontation in Parliament not only spotlighted ongoing grievances regarding colonial history but also served as a reminder of the challenges that remain in reconciling the past with present relationships between the crown and Australia's Indigenous communities.