On a seemingly routine day of royal engagements in Canberra, Australia, King Charles III faced an unexpected and highly symbolic interruption that underscored the deep-rooted tensions in the country’s relationship with its Indigenous peoples and the monarchy. As the King concluded his address at Australia’s Parliament House, Senator Lidia Thorpe, a staunch advocate for Indigenous rights and a prominent critic of colonialism, disrupted the proceedings by shouting, “This is not your land, you are not my King.” The interruption lasted only about a minute before security escorted her away, but it left a lasting impression on the day’s events and reignited a national conversation about the monarchy’s place in modern Australia and its historical relationship with Indigenous Australians.
The Context: King Charles’ Visit to Australia
King Charles III and Queen Camilla were in Australia for an official visit, part of a broader diplomatic engagement that included meetings with Australian politicians, cultural representatives, and members of the public. The visit was particularly significant, as it marked the first official tour by King Charles since ascending the throne following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. Australia’s status as a Commonwealth nation means that King Charles serves as its head of state, a ceremonial role with deep historical ties to Britain’s colonial past.
The ceremony that took place in Canberra was intended to be a formal and celebratory event, underscoring the enduring ties between Australia and the British monarchy. However, for many, particularly among Australia’s Indigenous communities, the visit also served as a stark reminder of the unhealed wounds of colonialism, dispossession, and the ongoing struggle for Indigenous recognition and rights.
Lidia Thorpe: A Voice for Indigenous Sovereignty
Lidia Thorpe, an independent senator from Victoria and a proud Aboriginal Australian, has long been a vocal advocate for Indigenous rights. Her activism focuses on the need for a treaty between Australia’s government and its First Nations peoples, a formal acknowledgment that the land was never ceded to the British Crown and that Indigenous sovereignty has never been relinquished. Thorpe’s protest at the royal ceremony was not merely a personal outburst but a deeply political statement about the ongoing colonial legacy that many Indigenous Australians feel remains unaddressed.
Thorpe’s disruption highlighted a significant point of contention in Australia’s relationship with the monarchy: Australia is the only former British colony without a formal treaty with its Indigenous population. Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people see the absence of a treaty as a symbol of their continued marginalization and lack of recognition within the political and legal structures of the country. While other Commonwealth nations like New Zealand and Canada have established treaties with their Indigenous populations, Australia has yet to follow suit.
As Thorpe shouted claims of genocide against “our people,” her protest resonated with the broader movement for Indigenous rights in Australia, which has gained momentum in recent years. The push for a treaty is part of a broader movement that includes calls for constitutional recognition, land rights, and the protection of Indigenous culture and heritage. Thorpe’s protest brought these issues to the forefront of national attention during a moment that was intended to celebrate Australia’s ties to the monarchy.
The Royal Response: An Event Unperturbed
Despite the dramatic nature of Thorpe’s interruption, the ceremony inside Parliament House continued without further incident or any reference to the protest. King Charles and Queen Camilla, following their well-rehearsed royal protocol, did not publicly acknowledge the disruption. After Thorpe was escorted away by security, the royal couple proceeded with their scheduled engagements, which included greeting members of the public who had gathered outside the building.
Among the crowd, which included people waving small Australian flags in the heat of the Canberra sun, there was a mixture of excitement and indifference. Some, like Jamie Karpas, a 20-year-old attendee, expressed enthusiasm about the royal visit, saying, “As someone who saw Harry and Meghan the last time they were here, I’m very excited. I think the Royal Family are part of the Australian culture. They are a big part of our lives.” Others, such as CJ Adams, a US-Australian student at the Australian National University, viewed the occasion more pragmatically, noting, “He’s the head of state of the British Empire right – you’ve got to take the experiences you can get while in Canberra.”
The day’s events concluded without further disruptions, and King Charles and Queen Camilla moved on to their next engagement. Outside, the King even paused to pet an alpaca wearing a small crown, a light-hearted moment that contrasted sharply with the earlier confrontation inside Parliament House.
The Broader Implications: Australia’s Relationship with the Monarchy and Indigenous Rights
Thorpe’s protest may have been brief, but it was emblematic of the larger debates currently taking place in Australia regarding the role of the monarchy and the treatment of Indigenous peoples. As a Commonwealth nation, Australia maintains the British monarch as its ceremonial head of state, but there is growing public discussion about the future of the monarchy in the country, especially in light of increasing calls for Australia to become a republic.
This debate has been further complicated by the issue of Indigenous rights. For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the monarchy represents a colonial power that facilitated the dispossession and oppression of their ancestors. Calls for a treaty are not just about legal recognition but also about addressing historical wrongs and moving towards a future of genuine reconciliation.
The timing of Thorpe’s protest is also significant, as Australia continues to grapple with the question of Indigenous recognition in its Constitution. In 2023, Australians voted in a national referendum on the establishment of an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, a proposed advisory body that would give Indigenous Australians a greater say in the legislative process. The referendum, however, was divisive, with strong opinions on both sides of the issue. Thorpe, for her part, has been a critic of the Voice, arguing that it does not go far enough in addressing the systemic injustices faced by Indigenous peoples.
Conclusion: A Moment That Echoes Beyond Canberra
Lidia Thorpe’s protest during King Charles’ visit to Australia was more than just a disruption of royal protocol; it was a powerful reminder of the unresolved issues that continue to affect Australia’s relationship with its Indigenous peoples. Her call for a treaty and her rejection of the monarchy as a legitimate authority over Indigenous lands reflect a broader movement that is pushing for recognition, justice, and reparations.
As Australia moves forward, the questions raised by Thorpe and others will continue to shape the national conversation. While King Charles and Queen Camilla’s visit may have proceeded without further incident, the issues brought to light by Thorpe’s protest will remain at the forefront of Australia’s political and cultural discourse. As the country continues to grapple with its colonial past and its future as a potential republic, the voices of Indigenous Australians like Lidia Thorpe will be crucial in shaping the path ahead.
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