The royal visit of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla to Australia has been met with a mix of excitement and controversy. As the royal couple continues their engagements in Sydney, including a visit to an Indigenous center in Redfern, protests by Aboriginal activists have cast a shadow over the trip.
Indigenous Senator’s Protest Sparks Debate
The most high-profile protest came from Greens senator Lidia Thorpe, who confronted the king during a parliamentary event in Canberra. Thorpe, holding an Aboriginal flag, approached the monarch and said “You need to acknowledge the war crimes.”
Her actions have drawn both criticism and support. A Ngunnawal elder rebuked Thorpe, saying she doesn’t speak for her people and that her comments were “disrespectful.” Employment Minister Murray Watt also questioned the effectiveness of the protest on the ABC’s Q+A program.
“I don’t think it was a particularly effective way of getting her point across,”
– Murray Watt, Employment Minister
However, other Indigenous activists have defended Thorpe and are continuing their own protests against the royal visit. Some are even attempting to issue the king with a court summons for genocide.
A Nation Divided on the Monarchy
The controversy reflects the complex relationship between the British monarchy and Australia’s First Nations people. Many Indigenous Australians see the royal family as a symbol of colonial oppression and are calling for treaties, reparations, and an end to the monarchy.
At the same time, the royal family remains popular with many Australians. A recent Guardian Essential poll found that 50% approve of the job King Charles is doing as head of state, higher than either the prime minister or opposition leader.
- 50% approve of King Charles as head of state
- 26% disapprove
- 24% unsure
The poll numbers suggest that while the monarchy still enjoys broad support, there is a significant minority who question its role and relevance in modern Australia. The protests during the royal visit have brought these divisions to the forefront.
Calls for Reconciliation and Reform
As the royal couple continues their visit, there are calls from both sides for reconciliation and reform. Some Indigenous leaders are urging the king to meet with them and hear their concerns directly. Others want the government to take more action on Indigenous rights and recognition.
“It’s time for Australia to have a mature conversation about our colonial past and how we move forward as a nation that respects and empowers our First Peoples.”
– Indigenous community leader
The government has promised a referendum on enshrining an Indigenous Voice to Parliament in the constitution. However, details remain unclear and some activists say it doesn’t go far enough in addressing sovereignty and treaty issues.
For now, the focus remains on the royal visit and how the king and queen navigate the complex political and cultural landscape of Australia. Their reactions to the protests and engagement with Indigenous communities could set the tone for the monarchy’s future role in the country.
As one commentator put it, “This visit is a test for the monarchy and for Australia. How we respond will say a lot about who we are and what we value as a nation. It’s an opportunity for reflection, healing, and hopefully, progress.”
The royal visit of King Charles and Queen Camilla has brought long-simmering tensions over Indigenous rights and the role of the monarchy to the surface in Australia. As protests continue amidst the pomp and ceremony, the nation faces difficult questions about its past, present, and future. The path forward may be uncertain, but the voices of Aboriginal activists and the symbolism of the royal family ensure these issues won’t fade from view anytime soon.
