Australian Lawmaker Confronts British Royals: ‘You Are Not My King’

During a royal visit to Australia, King Charles III faced a dramatic interruption from Indigenous Senator Lidia Thorpe. After the King delivered a speech to Parliament House in Canberra, Thorpe shouted from the back of the room, “You are not my king! Give us our land back, give us what you stole!”

The incident unfolded as King Charles and Queen Camilla met with Australian leaders, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Thorpe’s outburst prompted security to move in and escort her away from the scene.

In his address, King Charles acknowledged the significance of Australia’s First Nations people, who have inhabited the land for tens of thousands of years prior to British colonization. He expressed gratitude for their willingness to share their stories and cultures, stating, “Throughout my life, Australia’s First Nations people have done me the great honor of sharing so generously their stories and cultures. I can only say how much my own experience has been shaped and strengthened by such traditional wisdom.”

Despite the ceremonial welcome, including a traditional Aboriginal greeting held outside Parliament House, Thorpe’s comments highlight the ongoing discontent among many Indigenous Australians regarding colonial history and land rights. For numerous members of the Indigenous population, the presence of the British royals is a reminder of past injustices and a call for recognition and reparative actions.