Royal visit to Australia met with protests and calls for change
Accusations and insults are being directed at the British monarch, Charles III, who arrived for a visit to Sydney. Some Australians are choosing to confront the king publicly, as he remains the ruler not only of the United Kingdom but also of other countries within the Commonwealth of Nations.
22 October 2024 17:39
The visit by King Charles III and Queen Camilla began on Friday and is being disrupted by a series of incidents. On Tuesday, Aboriginal activist Wayne Wharton hurled insults at the monarch as he greeted the crowd in front of the Sydney Opera House. The man was arrested.
The day before, on Monday, there was a tumultuous incident in the parliament building. Senator Lidia Thorpe loudly accused the king of "genocide".
The politician dressed in traditional Aboriginal attire shouted at the monarch, declaring that "he is not her king." She claimed that Britain was guilty of genocide in Australia and should return all the seized assets. Thorpe also loudly demanded that treaties be signed with the British monarchy to define Australia's status clearly.
In a conversation with the BBC, she highlighted that many Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders never ceded sovereignty or land to the Crown. Thorpe stated that she wished to deliver a "clear message" to Charles III, making him aware that he was not the ruler.
The British royal couple's visit to Australia marred by unpleasant incidents for the monarch
The background was similar to that of Wharton's Tuesday incident. He called Charles III "king of thieves and a king of liars." The Aboriginal activist attempted to serve the British monarch with a notice for his arrest.
However, Wayne Wharton was detained for disturbing the peace and refusing to comply with a police order to leave. The crowd applauded his arrest.
On Sunday, Wharton had already publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with King Charles III's visit by protesting in front of the church where the royal couple attended a mass.
The British royal couple's visit has sparked a discussion about Australia's status. There are calls to abolish the British monarchy's leadership.
King Charles III's power is symbolic, but there are increasing political pressures for a formal break from London. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, a sworn Republican, states that this is not the most urgent matter for the country.
Charles III remains the king of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Australia, and many other countries within the Commonwealth of Nations, including New Zealand, Canada, and Jamaica. Australia is the only former British colony whose government has not entered into treaties with representatives of the indigenous population.
