Not my King, Australian senator Lidia Thorpe shouts at Charles

Indigenous Senator Stands Up For Heckling King

'You are not my King': Australian Politician Interrupts King Charles

Katy Watson and Daniela Relph

An Australian senator has spoken out in support of interrupting King Charles during his speech at Australia’s Parliament House. The senator claimed that the King is guilty of genocide and stated in an interview with the BBC that "he doesn’t belong to this land."

Lidia Thorpe, an Aboriginal Australian, disrupted the ceremony in Canberra by shouting for nearly a minute before security personnel removed her from the scene.

Following her assertions of genocide concerning "our people," she was heard shouting, "This is not your territory, you are not my ruler."

However, Aboriginal elder Aunty Violet Sheridan, who had previously welcomed the King and Queen, expressed that Thorpe's protest was "disrespectful," stating, "She doesn't represent my views."

King Charles is visiting Australia for the first time since he became the head of state in September 2022.

The event wrapped up without mentioning the incident, and the royal couple then went on to greet the many people who had gathered outside to see them.

Following her demonstration, Thorpe shared with the BBC that she aimed to convey a "distinct message" to the King.

"To truly belong, you need to have a connection to the land," she remarked. "He doesn’t have that connection here."

Thorpe, an independent senator representing Victoria, is one of the voices calling for a treaty between the Australian government and its Indigenous peoples.

Unlike New Zealand and other territories that were once British colonies, Australia never formed a treaty with its Indigenous populations. Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals stress that they did not relinquish their sovereignty or land to the Crown.

She urged the King to direct Parliament to engage in talks about a peace agreement with the indigenous peoples.

"We have the ability to take charge, to improve our nation, and to strive for a brighter future. However, we must not submit to the colonizers, whose forebears were accountable for horrific acts of violence and genocide."

Thorpe, dressed in a traditional cloak made from possum skin, referred to the late Queen Elizabeth II as "colonizing" and had to reaffirm her oath when she was inaugurated as a senator in 2022.

There has been an ongoing discussion about how to address the significant differences between First Nations communities and the general population. These differences include access to healthcare, financial stability, education, and higher rates of imprisonment.

Last year, a vote to expand political rights and recognition for Indigenous peoples was firmly turned down.

Thorpe was elected to Parliament as a representative of the Greens, but she decided to leave the party due to its backing of the Yes campaign in that particular vote. She was backing a different cause and has previously organized eye-catching protests to bring attention to her views.

Thorpe disrupted the ceremony before security took him out.

Even with the demonstrations taking place, a lot of people were excited to catch a glimpse of the royals. They lined up outside Parliament House all morning under the scorching Canberra sun, waving Australian flags enthusiastically.

Jamie Karpas, 20, mentioned that she wasn't aware the royal couple was coming on Monday. She expressed, “Having seen Harry and Meghan during their last visit, I’m really looking forward to this. The Royal Family is an important aspect of Australian culture and plays a significant role in our lives.”

At the same time, CJ Adams, a student from the United States studying at the Australian National University, commented, "He's the leader of the British Empire, so it’s important to make the most of your time in Canberra and embrace the opportunities available."

A few protesters had also assembled on the grass in front of the Parliament House.

Lily Elias, Jamie Karpas, and Eloise Rudge lined up from left to right to catch a glimpse of the royal couple.

The royal trip to Canberra was set to address Australia's historical relationship with its Indigenous communities, but Thorpe's involvement caused the King and Queen to confront the issue more openly than originally intended.

The King and Queen made their way to Canberra earlier in the day, where they were welcomed by a line of politicians, students, and Aunty Serena Williams, an Elder from the Ngunnawal community who represents the Indigenous people.

They received a ceremonial greeting in the Great Hall of Canberra’s Parliament House, accompanied by the resonant music of a didgeridoo.

The King discussed indigenous communities and shared his insights, noting that his experiences had been "influenced and enriched by their traditional knowledge."

"During my numerous trips to Australia, I've seen the bravery and optimism that have paved the way for the country's extended and often challenging path to reconciliation," he stated.

However, as he took his seat, Thorpe's cries of dissent echoed throughout the room.

Aunty Sheridan, the Aboriginal elder who gave part of the official welcome speech for the King and Queen at Parliament House, voiced her criticism of her intervention.

She shared with the BBC, "The King is unwell. He is undergoing chemotherapy and didn't require this situation."

"I really value his visit. This might be the last time he comes here. Many others feel the same way I do."

Buckingham Palace hasn’t released any official statement regarding Thorpe’s protest. Instead, they have chosen to highlight the large number of people who came to see the King and Queen in Canberra.

A source from the palace revealed that the royal couple was genuinely moved by the overwhelming turnout of supporters.

Check out this video: An alpaca welcomes King Charles in Canberra.

Australia is a member of the Commonwealth, and in this role, the King acts as the nation's head of state.

For many years, Australia has discussed the idea of leaving the monarchy behind and transforming into a republic. In 1999, this issue was presented to the citizens through a referendum—the sole method for altering the country's constitution—and it was decisively rejected.

Surveys indicate that backing for the movement has increased since that time. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who greeted the King just prior to the senator's remarks, has been a committed republican for many years.

Nevertheless, Albanese's administration has dismissed the possibility of conducting another vote on the matter in the near future, after the referendum on Indigenous recognition last year did not succeed.

King Charles's trip to Australia marks his first visit since taking over from his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and comes in a year when he has undergone cancer treatment. Due to his health concerns, this tour is shorter than past royal engagements.

Earlier in the day, there was a fun moment when the King interacted with an alpaca adorned with a tiny crown while he spoke with members of the public following his visit to Canberra's war memorial.

The royal couple also took the time to plant trees at Government House, after which the King, who has been dedicated to environmental causes for many years, toured the National Bushfire Behaviour Research Laboratory.

Further contributions from Anna Lamche and Doug Faulkner.

Image credit: PA Media

The King and Queen organized a tree planting event on the grounds of Government House in Canberra.

The King and Queen were greeted with a customary dance.

A large crowd gathered under the sun, eagerly anticipating the King's arrival.

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