King Charles's First Visit Disrupted by Protest

During King Charles's first visit to Australia as monarch, Indigenous Senator Lidia Thorpe disrupted a parliamentary reception in Canberra by yelling that Charles was 'not her king' and demanding the return of land and reparations for past injustices against Indigenous Australians. Thorpe's protest was met with rebuke from Ngunnawal elder Aunty Violet Sheridan, who emphasized respect and dialogue over confrontation. A known controversial figure, Thorpe has a history of outspoken protests and criticism of the monarchy, previously referring to Queen Elizabeth II as a 'coloniser.' King Charles's visit, which included a speech acknowledging First Nations peoples and a traditional welcoming ceremony, continues to highlight tensions over colonial legacies and Indigenous rights in Australia.