King Charles III is confronted by Indigenous activists in Australia – POLITICO

Elder Alan Murray told the King: “We have stories to tell, and I believe you witnessed that story yesterday in Canberra, but the story is unshakable and we still have a long way to go to achieve what we are achieving want, and that is our own sovereignty.”

According to Sky News, Murray, from the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, said afterwards: “The Union Jack was placed on our land without our consent. We were ignored. We cannot rest on our laurels.”

An Aboriginal man named Wayne “Coco” Wharton was also arrested near the Sydney Opera House after protesting against Charles and Queen Camilla's visit to Australia. Wharton called Charles a “king of thieves and a king of liars” as he tried to serve an arrest notice – before being taken away by police.

It came after Lidia Thorpe, an independent Aboriginal senator for Victoria, harassed Charles after he finished his speech in Parliament House on Monday. “This is not your country, you are not my king!” she said.

The numerous incidents occurred during Charles' first visit to Australia since his accession to the throne in 2022, the first visit by a British monarch to the country since 2011.

Australia, a former collection of British colonies, united in 1901 and became an independent nation, but remains a constitutional monarchy with Charles as head of state – although in practice his rule is purely symbolic and plays no role in everyday Australian government.

Buckingham Palace officials wrote on Charles' behalf earlier this month that “whether Australia becomes a republic” is a “decision for the Australian public.”

Seb Starcevic contributed reporting.