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King Charles Accused of "Genocide" by Indigenous Senator During Australian Visit
During King Charles' Australia visit, Indigenous senator Lidia Thorpe confronted him, accusing him of "genocide" right after he paid respects to traditional landowners.
ND
by News Desk
2024-10-21
King Charles Accused of

King Charles faced a significant backlash during his 16th official visit to Australia on Monday, when Indigenous senator and activist Lidia Thorpe accused him of "genocide" shortly after he delivered a speech honoring the traditional owners of the land. This incident occurred moments after the king expressed his respect for Indigenous peoples during his address at Parliament House.

 

The Controversy Unfolds

Thorpe's outburst came as a sharp contrast to the general atmosphere of goodwill that surrounded the royal couple's visit, which included a series of tributes from dignitaries and well-wishers. Thorpe, an independent senator, openly rejected Charles' sovereignty over Australia, highlighting ongoing tensions regarding colonial history and Indigenous rights in the country.

 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, in his remarks, praised the king for his long-standing advocacy on climate change and acknowledged the respect many Australians have for the monarchy. However, Albanese's speech also touched on the complexities of Australia's evolving identity, with only a brief mention of the Republican cause, which he and much of his center-left Labor party support. He previously shelved plans for a referendum on transitioning Australia into a republic after an Indigenous advisory body referendum was defeated earlier this year.

 

A Royal Day Out

Despite the controversy, the royal couple continued their engagements, including a visit to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, where they met over a thousand well-wishers, including an unusual guest: Hephner, a nine-year-old alpaca dressed in a suit and crown. Hephner's owner, Robert Fletcher, expressed delight at the encounter, stating, "One king meets another king." During their 30-minute walk through the crowds, King Charles stopped to pat the alpaca, sharing a lighthearted moment as Hephner snorted in his face.

 

Next Steps in the Royal Tour

King Charles and Queen Camilla will continue their tour in Sydney before heading to Samoa for a meeting of countries in the British Commonwealth. The visit, marked by both tribute and protest, underscores the complexities of Australia's colonial history and the ongoing dialogue around Indigenous rights and recognition.

 
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Australia

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IndigenousRights

RoyalVisit

Lidia

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