Australia's royal visit: Tensions rise amid aboriginal protests
Accusations and insults are directed at British monarch Charles III, who arrived to visit Sydney. Some Australians are choosing to confront the king publicly. The king remains the ruler not only of the United Kingdom but also of other countries within the Commonwealth of Nations.
22 October 2024 14:52
The visit by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, which began on Friday, 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 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 wanted to deliver a "clear message" to Charles III, informing him that he was not the ruler.
The British royal couple's visit to Australia is marred by unpleasant incidents for the monarch
The background was similar to that of Wharton's Tuesday incident. He called Charles III "the king of thieves and 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 publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with King Charles III's visit by protesting in front of the church where the royal couple attended 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.
