Moments after King Charles delivered his speech at Parliament House, a protestor launched a verbal attack on the monarch, shouting “you are not my King” and “this is not your land”.
Indigenous Australian Senator Lidia Thorpe, who is known for stunts, moved into the aisle to make the outburst, walking as close as she could to the stage, where the King and Queen Camilla sat alongside Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other officials.
She yelled: “You committed genocide against our people. Give us our land back. Give us what you stole from us: our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people.
“You destroyed our land, give us a treaty – we want a treaty, we want a treaty with this country.
“This is not your land, this is not your land, you are not my King, you are not our King.”
It took almost a minute before security removed Ms Thorpe from the room.
As she was forced back into the foyer, the Senator, who was dressed in a long possum skin coat, shouted: “F*** the colonies.”
Those gathered for the Parliamentary reception remained silent during the outburst, while the King turned to speak to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Queen quietly turned to Jodie Haydon, the PM’s partner.
Ms Thorpe had been one of the invited guests gathered inside the Great Hall ahead of Their Majesties’ arrival when her opposition to their visit was first made clear.
She turned her back as a large video screen showed the King standing to attention outside during the official welcome while a band played the national anthem.
