“You Are Not My King”: King Charles Stays Strong Amid Confrontation with Senator Lidia Thorpe on Australian Tour

King Charles remains resolute in his commitment to Australia despite a tense confrontation with Senator Lidia Thorpe during his first official visit as monarch. Thorpe, an Indigenous senator for Victoria, interrupted the King’s address to the Parliament in Canberra, demanding, “Give us our land back,” and declaring, “You are not my King,” before being escorted out by security, told CNN. The dramatic protest, while grabbing headlines, did little to shake the King’s focus on his duties.

Royal commentator Angela Levin quickly defended the monarch, describing Thorpe’s protest as “unpleasant” and “ridiculous,” while underscoring Charles’s steadfast nature, via GB News. “King Charles knows that there are people who actually want to grab a lot of attention, who are a little bit off their rocket, as you could call it, and he would just carry on,” Levin remarked. She emphasized that the King has grown accustomed to such disruptions over the years and will not be swayed by them.

Camilla, the Queen Consort, who was by Charles’s side during the incident, reportedly smiled in response, a sign of her familiarity with handling such situations. Levin pointed out that Camilla’s reaction, much like the King’s steady demeanor, suggested their years of experience in dealing with protests and public confrontations.

The royal couple has received a warm reception across Australia, with thousands of well-wishers turning out to greet them. Levin highlighted the positive atmosphere, explaining that Thorpe’s outburst did little to overshadow the enthusiasm that Charles and Camilla have encountered during their visit. “He’s had such a wonderful welcome; there were thousands of people outside the church yesterday, and people are delighted to have seen him. So here, this is one person who is quite honestly ridiculous,” Levin said, making it clear that the overall mood of the visit was overwhelmingly positive.

Thorpe has previously caused a stir during royal visits. Levin noted that the senator had attempted to create a scene at the Australian War Memorial during the royal couple’s tour, showing a pattern of disruptive behavior aimed at drawing attention to her cause.

Despite undergoing cancer treatment, King Charles remains determined to continue his service to Australia. His commitment to the country, which he has visited 16 times, was evident as he powered through the ten-day tour. Levin praised the King’s dedication, pointing out that he had temporarily halted his treatment to avoid fatigue and keep up with the demands of the tour. “This is his 16th visit to Australia, and you can tell he really wants to come because he’s not well, and he’s still having his cancer treatment, which he’s stopped especially so that he won’t get too tired and he can manage all that’s going on,” Levin explained.

The royal couple’s itinerary is packed, with the King and Camilla set to cover 30,000 miles over ten days, visiting multiple locations daily. They have divided responsibilities, with Camilla visiting one venue while Charles attends another to maximize their impact.

Levin also commented on the financial implications of any attempts to remove King Charles from his position, citing a significant cost to Australian taxpayers. “If they want to take a vote on whether they should get rid of him, it will cost them £150 million,” she stated, underscoring the challenges and costs associated with any moves to alter the current constitutional arrangement.

Ultimately, Levin concluded that Thorpe’s outburst reflected a lack of respect and politeness, particularly toward a monarch who, despite health challenges, is “doing his best” for Australia. The confrontation, while dramatic, only reinforced King Charles’s determination to continue his duties with dignity and dedication.