King Charles faces confrontation from Aboriginal senator Lydia Thorpe during a visit to Australia. On 21 October, Thorpe told him that he was “not her king” and demanded that Aboriginal Australians sign a treaty with their government.
Thorpe confronted King Charles after he delivered a major speech in Australia’s Parliament House, accusing the Commonwealth of committing “genocide” against Aboriginal people.
The Australian senator expressed strong objections, declaring that Charles was not their sovereign and demanding the return of their land, which he claimed had been taken from them.
“You are not our king, you are not a sovereign… You have committed genocide against our people. Give us back our land. Give us back what you stole from us. …..our children, our people.
“Give us a treaty – we want a treaty with this country… This is not your land, this is not your land, you are not my king, you are not our king,” Thorpe added.
As she was escorted out of the hall, she shouted that a treaty was needed between First Nations and the government.
During their royal tour of Australia, Charles and Camilla encountered smaller protests by groups supporting Aboriginal resistance to colonial rule. Protesters were seen holding banners reading “Decolonization” at some events.
The Independent quoted sources as saying that King Charles remained calm despite the conflict.
Earlier in the day, Charles and Camilla were given a warm welcome at the National War Memorial, where they met hundreds of well-wishers, including a sneezing alpaca, in a lighter moment.
What did King Charles say?
In a speech to Australia’s parliament, King Charles spoke of his long-standing relationship with the country, which began when he first visited Australia as a teenager. He spoke of how his study experience in the Outback shaped him and left a lasting impression on his life.
“Throughout my life, Aboriginal Australia has provided me with the tremendous privilege of being able to share their stories and culture so generously. All I can say is that this traditional wisdom has shaped and strengthened me to a great extent. own experience.