During a reception at Parliament House on Monday, October 21, King Charles was confronted by Senator Lidia Thorpe who declared “you are not our king” in a passionate protest.
The incident unfolded following the King’s speech, in which he paid tribute to the progress Australia had made since his first visit to the country in 1966. As the King finished speaking, Senator Thorpe began shouting at the Monarch as she approached the front of the room.
“You are not our king. You are not sovereign. You are not our king. You are not sovereign,” she said.
“You committed genocide against our people. Give us our land back. Give us what you stole from us – our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people.
“You destroyed our land. Give us a treaty. We want treaty.”
Security were quick to intervene and escort Senator Thorpe from the building as King Charles spoke with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Earlier in the event, King Charles and Queen Camilla were welcomed into the Great Hall after signing the Parliament House visitor book in the Marble Foyer.
The royal couple were joined by federal and state members of parliament, distinguished Australians, and representatives from the King’s charities who assembled for the first event of its kind since Queen Elizabeth II attended a parliamentary reception in the Great Hall in 2011.
Despite the confrontation from Senator Thorpe, Charles and Camilla have been warmly welcomed throughout their royal tour.
Upon arriving in Australia on October 18, the royal couple were greeted by Governor-General Sam Mostyn as well as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns.
Following a series of public engagements over the last few days, the King and Queen will depart Australia on Wednesday, October 23 for Samoa, where they will open the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
-with AAP.