King Charles III was heckled by an Australian senator who accused the visiting U.K. monarch of “genocide.”
Lidia Thorpe, an Aboriginal independent lawmaker for Victoria, interrupted proceedings and approached the stage as Charles concluded his speech at Parliament House in the capital city of Canberra.
“This is not your land, you are not my king!” she said.
“You committed genocide against our people,” Thorpe added. “Give us our land back. Give us what you stole from us — our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people. You are a genocidalist.”
Charles was heckled for around a minute before the senator was escorted away by security. The king and other attendees, including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, remained seated and did not comment on the incident.
It occurred during Charles’ first visit to Australia since ascending to the throne in 2022, and the first visit to the country by a British monarch since 2011.
Australia, a former collection of British colonies, federated and became an independent nation in 1901 but remains a constitutional monarchy with the Charles as its head of state — though in practice his is purely symbolic, with no role in Australian day-to-day governance.
Support for an Australian republic is divided, according to polls. Buckingham Palace officials writing on behalf of Charles said earlier this month that “whether Australia becomes a republic” is a “matter for the Australian public to decide.”
Thorpe released a statement Monday arguing that Australia should ditch the monarchy and establish a treaty with indigenous First Nations people.
“The crown invaded this country, has not sought treaty with First Peoples, and committed a genocide of our people,” she said. “King Charles is not the legitimate sovereign of these lands.”
Australia narrowly rejected becoming a republic in 1999, although Charles’ visit has not been without controversy.
Seb Starcevic contributed reporting.
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