In brief
King Charles III's visit to Australia was marred by a significant interruption as he faced vocal protests from an Indigenous senator, reflecting deep-rooted sentiments towards colonial history.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla attended a parliamentary reception in Canberra on Monday, marking the king’s first visit to Australia since becoming monarch in 2022. Shortly after his remarks, Lidia Thorpe, an Indigenous senator known for her activism in Aboriginal rights, stood up and shouted, “You are not our king.” She demanded the return of lands taken from Indigenous Australians and called for a treaty with Australia’s Indigenous population.Despite the immediate response of security personnel who escorted her out, Thorpe continued to vocalize her grievances, highlighting the atrocities committed during colonial times by stating, “Our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people.” This protest underscores Thorpe’s long history of activism and resistance against the monarchy, which she has accused of perpetuating colonialist ideologies. Previously, she made headlines in 2022 by referring to Queen Elizabeth II as “the colonizing Her Majesty” during her swearing-in ceremony.As the uproar unfolded, King Charles maintained composure, later leaving the event with Queen Camilla. Buckingham Palace has yet to issue an official response to the incident, though a palace spokesperson expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support the royals received during their visit.The journey represents an ambitious international schedule for Charles, particularly following a recent cancer diagnosis disclosed by the palace. The royals took a brief period for rest in Sydney before proceeding with planned engagements. As they prepare to meet with Caribbean leaders in Samoa later in the week, discussions about Britain's colonial past, including calls for reparations related to slavery and climate change impacts, are expected to surface. This visit continues to illustrate the complexities and sensitivities surrounding Britain's colonial legacy in the Commonwealth.
