King Charles is interrupted by radical Australian politician Lidia Thorpe accusing him of 'genocide' and shouting 'give us our land back... f*** the colony' in ugly confrontation during his tour

Senator Lidia Thorpe, an independent politician from Victoria, staged a dramatic protest during a royal reception attended by King Charles and Queen Camilla at Parliament House in Australia. Wearing a native fur coat, Thorpe loudly accused the British monarchy of committing genocide against Indigenous Australians. As she walked down the aisle of the Great Hall, she shouted, "You committed genocide against our people. Give us our land back," and added, "f*** the colony."

Senator Lidia Thorpe, 51, launched a foul-mouthed tirade at the King during his visit to Parliament House

Thorpe's outburst came after speeches from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, opposition leader Peter Dutton, and King Charles himself. She demanded the return of stolen land, referencing the destruction of Indigenous communities and calling for a treaty. Her protest was an expression of deep-seated anger over colonialism and the monarchy’s historical role in the oppression of Indigenous Australians.

Her tirade came during King Charles III's first visit to Australia as monarch

Security ushered Thorpe out of the hall as she continued her protest, but King Charles and Queen Camilla reportedly remained composed throughout the incident.

Firebrand Indigenous politician Lidia Thorpe has interrupted King Charles' address at Parliament House with a foul-mouthed rant, after he finished his speech praising Australia 

As Senator Lidia Thorpe was being ushered out by security, she became more animated, shouting, "This is not your land. You are not my King." Despite the intensity of her protest, King Charles and Queen Camilla remained composed. They appeared to take no notice of the outburst, with the King turning to speak to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Queen Camilla engaging with his wife.

King Charles, Queen Camilla and Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's partner Jodie Jaydon attend the parliamentary reception in Canberra, Australia

Buckingham Palace declined to comment on Thorpe’s actions. Sources, however, downplayed the incident, emphasizing that Their Majesties were "deeply touched" by the overall warmth of the reception they had received throughout the day. The protest did not seem to disrupt the broader tone of the royal visit, which was marked by welcoming crowds and positive engagements.

Senator Thorpe screamed out 'f**k the colony' and 'you are not my King' in a rant which led to her being removed from Parliament House

King Charles and Queen Camilla were reportedly seen laughing off Senator Lidia Thorpe’s heckling during the royal reception, appearing "unruffled" by her outburst. Sources indicated that they hoped her tirade would not overshadow what had otherwise been a "wonderful day." Earlier in the event, Thorpe had turned her back during the playing of the Australian anthem as an act of protest.

King Charles and Queen Camilla are pictured reacting to Senator Thorpe's outburst in Parliament House

Before the royal reception, Thorpe had been involved in another confrontation with police during an Indigenous protest outside the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. The protest included around two dozen Indigenous demonstrators chanting, "always was, always will be Aboriginal land." During the demonstration, Thorpe appeared close to being arrested after a tense interaction with a police officer. Despite these disruptions, the royal visit proceeded, with the King and Queen continuing their engagements as planned.

Senator Thorpe was quickly led away by security at Parliament House

During the protest outside the Australian War Memorial, Senator Lidia Thorpe argued with a police officer who grabbed onto her shirt. In response, she pulled off her shirt and stormed away, later stating, "Everything that we suffer in this country is because of that colonial invasion."

Other politicians watched on as the activist was removed

Inside Parliament, the reception for King Charles and Queen Camilla began with a welcome procession, including a didgeridoo performance marking Their Majesties' arrival into the Great Hall at Parliament House. They were formally welcomed to Ngunnawal Country by senior Ngunnawal Elder Aunty Violet Sheridan.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive for a visit at Canberra Airport on October 21, 2024 in Canberra, Australia

After speeches from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and opposition leader Peter Dutton, King Charles delivered an address that lasted a little over ten minutes. In his speech, he expressed affection for Australia and acknowledged the "timeless wisdom of Indigenous people." He also recalled his formative time at Geelong Grammar School, sharing how the rugged experience of the Australian bush shaped him. Reflecting on his time in outback Queensland, he humorously mentioned encounters with dangerous wildlife and recalled eating "certain unmentionable parts of a bull calf" as part of a local tradition.

King Charles III views The Royal Guard of Honour during the Ceremonial Welcome to Australia

After King Charles concluded his speech, in which he humorously reflected on his experiences with Australia's wildlife and rural life as a young man, Senator Lidia Thorpe dramatically broke free from the area where she had been standing and launched her protest. Prior to the reception, Thorpe had signaled her intention to make a bold statement, declaring, "I'm going to tell him he's not my King. He's not our King." She accused the monarchy of amassing wealth through the theft of Indigenous land and demanded an apology, alongside a call for a peace treaty.

They were welcomed by cheering crowds and schoolchildren waving Australian flags

Up until Thorpe’s outburst, the event had been calm and orderly, with dignitaries quietly listening to the speeches. Her sudden interruption created a stark contrast to the otherwise composed and ceremonial atmosphere of the reception.

The King and Queen were met with loud cheers from the hundreds of well-wishers, drowning out a handful of protestors with a 'decolonise' banner calling for indigenous rights and waving Palestinian and Lebanese flags

Before King Charles delivered his speech, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese offered a warm tribute, reflecting on the late Queen Elizabeth II as "a shining thread through the history of Australia." Albanese then addressed the King, recalling Charles' long connection with the country since his first visit in 1966, noting how he had come to appreciate both the natural beauty and the people of Australia. He emphasized the affection between Australia and the King, describing it as mutual.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla waves at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Monday, October 21

Albanese highlighted the King's time at Timbertop, a remote Australian school, and a light-hearted reference to his appearance on the popular music show Countdown, where Charles had once been interviewed by Molly Meldrum—both experiences that Albanese described as "deeply formative."

He greeted royal wellwishers and shook their hands at the event on Monday

Leader of the opposition, Peter Dutton, added some humor to the occasion, gently poking fun at the Republican leanings of the Labor government. He quipped that preparations for the royal visit had prompted Republicans to get haircuts, shine their shoes, and press their shirts, lightening the mood in the Great Hall of Parliament House.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment on Thorpe's outburst in Parliament House, but sources brushed off the lone protestor, saying Their Majesties were 'deeply touched' at the warmth of the welcome they had received throughout the day

Parliament House, where the reception took place, is often celebrated as the heart of Australian democracy and one of the most accessible government buildings in the world.

Before her outburst, Senator Thorpe had turned her back as the Australian anthem was played

Lidia Thorpe (pictured) previously fired up about 'paying respects' to the late Queen, saying the British Empire declared war on First Nations people

Lidia Thorpe once strode into the Senate with her fist in the air and then mockingly called the late Queen a 'coloniser'

After the reception inside Parliament House, King Charles and Queen Camilla stepped into the foyer to the sound of loud applause, greeted by a crowd that included schoolchildren waving flags. The royal couple then participated in a walkabout—now referred to as "an opportunity to meet the public"—interacting with the attendees outside.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla sign the visitors book during the ceremonial welcome to Australia at Australian Parliament House in Canberra

Among those who met the King was Nicholas Hicks, 29, originally from Southport, UK, who now lives in Australia. Hicks thanked King Charles for visiting Southport after the attack in July, and the King responded that he was glad to have gone and noted the resilience of the people there.

King Charles III signs another visitor's book as Queen Camilla stands next to him at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra

Another attendee, Jacqui Stewart, 52, from Brisbane, had a nostalgic moment with the King, reminding him of the time they shared a gin and tonic during a parliamentary reception in the mid-1990s. Her husband had been serving in the military at the time, and the memory of the occasion remained fond for her. The King responded warmly, appreciating the memory she had brought up.

King Charles shakes hands with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese while attending a Parliamentary reception at Parliament House in Canberra

Despite the dramatic protest earlier in the day, King Charles and Queen Camilla were warmly received during their engagements in Australia. The weather cleared up as they were greeted by enthusiastic crowds, who presented them with flowers, toy koalas, and even kangaroo jerky. Many expressed gratitude for their visit, particularly considering the King’s ongoing cancer treatment.

King Charles III meets members of the public during a walkabout outside Parliament House

Arriving at St Thomas' Anglican Church in North Sydney, the royal couple were met with cheers from hundreds of supporters, which easily drowned out a small group of protesters. The demonstrators, holding a "decolonise" banner and waving Palestinian and Lebanese flags, called for Indigenous rights. Some locals in the crowd expressed frustration at the protest, with shouts of "get lost" and "get a life," while one man reminded the protesters to appreciate living in a free society where such protests could take place.

Camilla wore a stunning white dress as she beamed at excited royal wellwishers

Matching her white dress with a pair of light grey sunglasses and beige heels, she met her fans

Australians were out in force to welcome the royals on their tour of the country

Inside the church grounds, the King and Queen greeted excited Sunday school children and fans, shaking hands and sharing smiles. Many of those present expressed fatigue with the ongoing republican debate, dismissing it as tiresome amidst the warm reception for the royals.

King Charles III views The Royal GUard of Honour during the Ceremonial Welcome to Australia at Australian Parliament House in Canberra

After the royal couple's visit to the church, the joy among the children was palpable, with one child exclaiming, "I touched the King!" Another little girl remarked, "It was so good; he was so kind," capturing the excitement of the moment.

Monday was the second day of his royal visit to Australia and Samoa

A Palace source shared that King Charles and Queen Camilla were genuinely moved by the large turnout of supporters, expressing regret that they couldn’t meet everyone individually. The source described the warmth and scale of the reception as "truly awesome," highlighting how much the royals appreciated hearing personal stories from those who made an effort to attend.

Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla attend the Australian War Memorial

Following their church visit, the couple participated in a planned meet and greet outside the parliament building. Although it lasted only a few minutes, it drew hundreds of eager fans, many of whom had queued since 8 a.m. in the heat. Some even traveled from distant cities like Cairns to catch a glimpse of the royals and pay their respects.

Despite their best efforts, the King and Queen were unable to greet everyone in person during their busy schedule, but sources emphasized how grateful they were for the overwhelming support they received. The enthusiasm and warmth from the thousands who turned out at both venues were seen as a more accurate reflection of the day's mood than the earlier protest by Senator Lidia Thorpe.

Upon arriving in Canberra on a Royal Australian Air Force jet, the couple participated in a welcome ceremony that included a traditional smoking ceremony conducted by Aunty Serena Williams and Robert Palm on behalf of the Ngunnawal community. During this ceremony, native plants were burned as part of the tradition, and the King and Queen were encouraged to waft the smoke toward themselves, symbolizing a cleansing and blessing for their journey in Australia. This gesture underscored the significance of honoring Indigenous culture and customs during their visit.

Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive at the Australian War Memorial accompanied by Australian War Memorial Council Chair Kim Beazley

During the smoking ceremony, Robert Palm shared that the King and Queen expressed their appreciation, smiling as they participated in the ritual. He explained that wafting the smoke was meant to clear the way for their journey and ward off any bad spirits. He also noted that the fragrant eucalyptus and lemongrass leaves would ensure they had a restful night, especially considering the King’s ongoing health concerns.

Following the ceremony, the royal couple had the opportunity to meet local schoolchildren, including Ruby, 11, and Loui, 12, from Bonython Primary School, which was opened by the late Queen in 1992. Loui, who was chosen at random by his teachers for this special meeting, described it as a "once in a lifetime opportunity." They also met Indigo Young, 11, a student from Cranleigh School who uses a wheelchair, highlighting the inclusive nature of their visit and the engagement with young Australians.

Senator Lidia Thorpe's history of vocal protests against the monarchy and colonial history in Australia has garnered significant attention. Her past remarks have included strong condemnations of the late Queen and her legacy, labeling her as a "coloniser" and "genocidal." Despite her assertion that she wouldn’t make inflammatory statements following the Queen's passing, Thorpe has remained a steadfast critic of the British Crown and its impact on Indigenous Australians.

After leaving the Greens party over disagreements regarding the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament, Thorpe has continued her advocacy as an independent senator. Her recent statements have called for legal action against the British Crown and King Charles for alleged genocide, emphasizing the need for a treaty that acknowledges the rights and sovereignty of Indigenous Australians.

Thorpe argues that First Nations Australians should be at the forefront of rewriting the Constitution, pushing for a charter that incorporates both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. She insists that these efforts are essential to addressing historical grievances and moving toward a republic, stating, "There's unfinished business that we need to resolve before this country can become a republic."

Her perspective highlights the ongoing debate in Australia regarding the monarchy's role, Indigenous rights, and the quest for constitutional reform, as she asserts that the Crown's history of invasion and lack of treaties with Indigenous peoples undermines the legitimacy of the monarchy's claim to sovereignty in Australia.