Lidia Thorpe’s confrontation of King Charles made global headlines, and for a moment the difficult conversations around reparations, royals and reconciliation could not be ignored.
Much of the international coverage centred around whether the Victorian senator’s outburst was respectful, valid or appropriate. Many argued it was not.
The Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab-Wurrung woman accused the King of serious crimes against First Nations people; this was challenged by both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
But there were also individuals who supported the protest, those who could understand the passion and anger levelled towards the monarch.
Loading…
Some want a louder discussion
Amid the debate about Senator Thorpe’s behaviour, there were some who wanted a louder discussion about why a royal visit can be confronting, difficult and even painful for some communities.
Around the world there is a growing push for the British royals to engage in a reparations process, and that looks different everywhere.
King Charles was born well over a century after the first British ships arrived in Sydney Cove and has been the ruling sovereign for only two years.
His speeches in Australia warmly referenced Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, and at almost every stop of the trip he met with Indigenous community members.
But for some, the atrocities of Australia’s colonisation and its lasting impacts on Indigenous communities are impossible to detach from the modern-day king.
To them, the British sovereign represents the ultimate overseer of violence, displacement, dispossession and entrenched disadvantage that followed those British ships in 1788.
The warm words, the polite small talk and vague references to shared and complicated histories do not come close to addressing the hurt and sadness.
A smile and pit stop on a royal tour does not help to address the enormous inequality experienced by the descendants of those who were here before British ships arrived.
Still, elders and Indigenous community members greeted the King with welcome arms, but many took the opportunity to touch on some of the nation’s difficult history.
The monarch arrived at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Sydney to meet locals and watch some traditional and interpretative dance performances.
Aunty Valerie Winberg was among the crowd there and as she shook the King’s hand she told him, “I’m a Stolen Generations survivor” and “welcome to our country.”
Outside, Allan Murray from the Metropolitain Aboriginal Land Council spoke with the monarch.
“We have stories to tell,” he said, and then referenced Lidia Thorpe’s outburst: “I think you heard that story yesterday.”
Amid his cancer battle, King Charles’s “pared back” royal tour had time for greetings, meetings and photo opportunities, but not for the long and difficult conversations.
The palace needs these overseas trips to be successful; the anti-colonial sentiment and negative press about the sovereign and their family legacy is not favourable.
Senator Thorpe’s protest for a moment started an uncomfortable conversation, but it quickly ended.
Loading…
Calls for reparations across the Commonwealth
The British royal family cannot avoid these discussions forever, and there is a push in former Commonwealth countries to start official reparations processes.
The palace has worked to ensure that visits from the monarch or his heirs feel relaxed and celebrate the many cultures of the Commonwealth.
This is recognised and appreciated by many within the community who value being part of this moment in history.
But the difficult work of reparations cannot be achieved in a few minutes or even a few hours on a royal tour.
In the absence of the time and space to discuss, inevitably there will be protest and anger.
This is not the first time the royals have been confronted with anti-colonial sentiment while touring former British colonies.
In 2022, Prince William and Princess Catherine toured the Carribean to coincide with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
It was supposed to highlight a modern monarchy and tighten links between nations, but some analysts said misguided appearances accelerated the push for republicanism in these countries.
There were protests, difficult conversations and negative local media commentary about the style, tact, and worthiness of the royal couple.
King Charles is still the head of state of 14 countries besides the UK and royal tours to these countries are high-stakes events.
In Carribean nations born from the British slave trade there is a growing push for independence and reparations, one that is becoming less polite.
A formal body in the Carribean, Caricom, is pursuing action from European governments, institutions and individuals, creating a 10-point reparations plan.
To start with it has called for an acknowledgement of their bloody history, formal apologies and then a move to address the wealth inequality.
More than a decade after the Caricom reparations body launched their plan, there have been small wins, but not substantive action.
Loading…
More families linked to the slave trade and stolen lands have offered personal apologies and compensation packages.
King Charles has opened royal archives to researchers investigating the royal family’s links to slavery.
In his own speeches in former Commonwealth countries, he has acknowledged slavery, describing it as a stain on history, but has never said the word “sorry”.
There are loud calls to return royal jewels acquired in South Asia during the times of empire, yet they remain in the royal collection.
The British monarch is always expected to stay above politics, and not to push the British government into uncomfortable positions.
But as the King’s reign continues these conversations will continue, and the calls for reparative justice will get louder.
There are generations who no longer want to celebrate Mother England, the British Empire, or the family that’s ruled over it for centuries.
The polite calls for engagement, a seat at the table, a spot at a royal meet and greet will become quieter.
Instead, calls to action on apology, reparations, repatriations will grow louder.
The conversation, like the history of the British empire, is not polite.
Loading