King Charles III of Great Britain made an official visit to Australia, marking the first time a British monarch has carried out this act since the visit of the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2011. During his stay, there were moments of tension, such as the one involving Indigenous Senator Lidia Thorpe, who was expelled from a parliamentary reception after stating that British colonizers had committed genocide against her people and that Australia was not the king's land.
Charles and his wife, Camilla, had an agenda that included attending a religious service in Sydney and visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier in Canberra. Despite the controversy and political divisions about Australia's relationship with the United Kingdom, the king expressed his gratitude for the welcome ceremony from Indigenous peoples and his willingness to listen to their stories and cultures.
Throughout his stay, the debate about the republic in Australia was present, with the Australian Republican Movement unsuccessfully seeking a meeting with Charles to advocate for cutting constitutional ties with the United Kingdom. In this context, various political leaders expressed positions both for and against maintaining the monarchy in the country.
On the other hand, Lidia Thorpe, known for her activism, sparked controversy after being expelled from a strip club in Melbourne last year for insulting male patrons. Her statements at the parliamentary reception reflect the sentiments of a portion of Australian society that calls for a treaty with Indigenous peoples and a review of the historical relationship with the United Kingdom.
