If King Charles is "not her king," then the very Parliament she serves in is equally not her Parliament
During a formal event at Canberra’s Parliament House, King Charles faced an unexpected disruption from Senator Lidia Thorpe. The indigenous senator, known for her outspoken opposition to the monarchy, hurled anti-colonial slogans at the 75-year-old monarch during his address, shocking many of the parliamentarians and dignitaries in attendance.
"Give us back our land! Return what you’ve stolen from us!" Thorpe shouted, continuing for nearly a minute after the King's speech. She proclaimed, "This is not your land, you're not my king," while condemning what she called the “genocide” of Indigenous Australians by European settlers.
Australia, a British colony for over a century, saw thousands of Indigenous Australians killed and entire communities displaced during that time. Though the country gained de facto independence in 1901, it has never transitioned into a full republic, with King Charles remaining the head of state.
The King is currently on a significant nine-day tour of Australia and Samoa, his first major international engagement since a life-changing cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
Senator Thorpe, notorious for her attention-grabbing political stunts and staunch republicanism, has made waves before. Upon her swearing-in ceremony in 2022, she raised her right fist and begrudgingly pledged allegiance to Queen Elizabeth II, who was then Australia's head of state.
"I, sovereign Lidia Thorpe, solemnly and sincerely swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the coloniser," she declared before being reprimanded by a Senate official.
"Senator Thorpe, Senator Thorpe, you are required to read the oath as printed on the card," chamber president Sue Lines corrected.
This isn’t the first time Australians have debated their relationship with the monarchy. In 1999, a narrow majority voted against removing the Queen, amid a heated discussion over whether a successor should be chosen by parliamentarians rather than the public. And just this year, in 2023, Australians overwhelmingly rejected steps to recognise Indigenous Australians in the constitution and to establish an Indigenous advisory body.
There is, however, a glaring contradiction in Senator Thorpe’s position. If King Charles is "not her king," then the very Parliament she serves in is equally not her Parliament. Her stance mirrors that of groups like Hamas, who refuse to acknowledge the legitimacy of Israel due to historical grievances that cannot be undone. Such positions, while emotionally charged, often leave little room for practical solutions or progress.
King Charles’ enduring charm lies in his embodiment of continuity and unity, qualities that resonate beyond the political tensions of the day. The monarchy, while a symbol of tradition, has proven adaptable, reflecting changes in society while maintaining a steady hand over the realms it governs. For many Australians, the King remains a figure of stability, an impartial head of state above the fray of daily politics.
Australia, a British colony for over a century, saw thousands of Indigenous Australians killed and entire communities displaced during that time. Though the country gained de facto independence in 1901, it has never transitioned into a full republic, with King Charles remaining the head of state.
The King is currently on a significant nine-day tour of Australia and Samoa, his first major international engagement since a life-changing cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
Senator Thorpe, notorious for her attention-grabbing political stunts and staunch republicanism, has made waves before. Upon her swearing-in ceremony in 2022, she raised her right fist and begrudgingly pledged allegiance to Queen Elizabeth II, who was then Australia's head of state.
"I, sovereign Lidia Thorpe, solemnly and sincerely swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the coloniser," she declared before being reprimanded by a Senate official.
"Senator Thorpe, Senator Thorpe, you are required to read the oath as printed on the card," chamber president Sue Lines corrected.
This isn’t the first time Australians have debated their relationship with the monarchy. In 1999, a narrow majority voted against removing the Queen, amid a heated discussion over whether a successor should be chosen by parliamentarians rather than the public. And just this year, in 2023, Australians overwhelmingly rejected steps to recognise Indigenous Australians in the constitution and to establish an Indigenous advisory body.
There is, however, a glaring contradiction in Senator Thorpe’s position. If King Charles is "not her king," then the very Parliament she serves in is equally not her Parliament. Her stance mirrors that of groups like Hamas, who refuse to acknowledge the legitimacy of Israel due to historical grievances that cannot be undone. Such positions, while emotionally charged, often leave little room for practical solutions or progress.
King Charles’ enduring charm lies in his embodiment of continuity and unity, qualities that resonate beyond the political tensions of the day. The monarchy, while a symbol of tradition, has proven adaptable, reflecting changes in society while maintaining a steady hand over the realms it governs. For many Australians, the King remains a figure of stability, an impartial head of state above the fray of daily politics.
