During King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s visit to Canberra, Australia, a warm welcome quickly turned tumultuous when Indigenous Senator Lidia Thorpe protested against British colonialism. She accused the monarchy of genocide and demanded reparations, leading to her removal by security. This visit marks Charles’s first as king and his initial long-distance trip since announcing his cancer diagnosis. Amid ongoing protests and debates about Australia’s monarchy, his schedule included multiple engagements, reflecting complex sentiments around his reign.
A visit by King Charles III and Queen Camilla to Canberra, Australia, started with a friendly reception but quickly turned contentious.
In the Australian parliament, as Charles concluded his speech, a disturbing incident unfolded. Indigenous Senator Lidia Thorpe expressed her dissent by turning her back during the playing of ‘God Save the King’, the UK’s national anthem. She passionately denounced the colonial history of Australia, which began in the late 18th century, and voiced her outrage over the treatment of Indigenous peoples.
Calls for a Treaty in Australia
“You have committed genocide against our people,” Senator Thorpe proclaimed. “Return what you have stolen from us—our bones, our skulls, our children, our people. You have ravaged our land. Give us a treaty!” Following her outburst, security personnel escorted her from the chamber.
King Charles III’s visit to Australia marks his 17th trip to the Commonwealth country but is particularly significant as it is his first time as king. Additionally, this visit represents a historic moment, as he is the first reigning British monarch to set foot in Australia.
Returning to Australia comes after a public disclosure of King Charles’s cancer diagnosis, making this a potentially challenging visit.
Protests Accompanying the Visit
The royal couple’s arrival on Friday led to the start of their official engagements on Sunday with a church service in Sydney. During this event, protests against the monarchy surfaced.
Concerns persist regarding Charles’s role as head of state in a parliamentary democracy thousands of miles away. Indigenous Australian representatives are advocating for reparations for the historical expulsion of Aborigines during the British colonial period.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has expressed support for Australia becoming a republic, contrasting with the opposition leader Peter Dutton’s preference to maintain the current monarchy.
Busy Itinerary for King Charles
On the second day of their trip, King Charles and Queen Camilla engaged in 17 scheduled events, according to Australian broadcaster ABC. They began with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, honoring soldiers who have died in conflicts throughout history.
The royal couple then visited Parliament, where Prime Minister Albanese welcomed them. Despite the protests, he remarked, “Since your first visit in 1966, Australians have embraced you, as you have embraced us.”
In a 1999 referendum, Australians had an opportunity to replace the British monarchy with a president, but the majority chose to keep the monarchy following a proposed constitutional change.
After taking a break from his official responsibilities due to his cancer treatment, King Charles is now back to engagements.
First International Trip Post-Diagnosis
This marks King Charles’s first international trip since announcing his cancer diagnosis a few months ago. Reports from the British media indicate he paused his treatment specifically for this visit.
The couple’s itinerary includes travel to the Commonwealth summit in Samoa, northeast of Fiji, after their time in Australia. The Commonwealth predominantly consists of nations that were once under British rule.
King Charles III was diagnosed with cancer during a recent hospital stay.