King Charles III's recent reception in the Australian Parliament was dramatically interrupted by Lidia Thorpe, an Indigenous senator and prominent activist for Aboriginal rights. As the king delivered his remarks, Thorpe rose from her seat to declare, “You are not our king,” stressing the ongoing impacts of colonialism and demanding reparations for Aboriginal land.
"Give us our land back. Give us what you stole from us,” Thorpe shouted, donning a traditional possum skin cloak, while security attempted to escort her out of the chamber. Thorpe continued her passionate plea, likening the legacy of British colonization to genocide, as she exclaimed, “Our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people. You destroyed our land.”
The protest garnered immediate attention, marking a notable moment in Charles’s journey as the ceremonial head of state of Australia. Thorpe, known for her outspoken advocacy and her personal connection to the struggle for Aboriginal rights, has a history of challenging the monarchy. In 2022, she raised a fist in a Black power salute during her oath of office, referring to the late Queen Elizabeth II as “the colonizing Her Majesty.”
While no official response was offered by Buckingham Palace regarding the incident, an anonymous source indicated the royals appreciated the support they received from many Australians.
Charles’ tour, which is his first since becoming king in 2022, also comes amid health concerns, as he has been diagnosed with cancer. His schedule has been designed to provide ample time for rest. Following the Canberra reception, the king is expected to meet with leaders in Samoa, where he may again encounter discussions around Britain's colonial legacy and reparations related to climate change and the slave trade.
This historic confrontation reflects the ongoing dialogue surrounding colonialism and the rights of Indigenous peoples, illustrating how the past continues to shape the present in modern political discourse.
