The recent visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla to Australia sparked both celebration and controversy.
After King Charles delivered a speech at Australia's Parliament House, acknowledging the country's Indigenous people, Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe, a DjabWurrung Gunnai Gunditjmara woman, disrupted the event, shouting, "You are not my king" and demanding the return of land taken by British settlers.
Thorpe, known for her strong opposition to the monarchy and advocacy for a treaty with Indigenous Australians, has a history of such protests.
Her outburst came as the King spoke about the wisdom shared by Australia's First Nations people, which he described as having influenced his life.
Australia’s history with Indigenous people is fraught with colonial violence, and the ongoing systemic discrimination faced by their descendants was a key issue highlighted during the royal visit.
Protests occurred outside the Australian War Memorial, and the Greens party called for the King to take a stand for Indigenous justice and healing. Thorpe's act of protest underscores the deep tensions regarding the legacy of British colonialism in Australia.
In contrast, the royal tour saw lighter moments as the King interacted with well-wishers, including a notable encounter with an alpaca named Hephner, which sneezed on him, bringing a humorous twist to an otherwise contentious visit.
Source:
CNN
