The monarch’s Sydney visit includes heartfelt exchanges with Indigenous elders following protests in Canberra.

SYDNEY – King Charles III was warmly embraced by an Indigenous elder on Tuesday (Oct 22) during a visit to Sydney’s National Centre for Indigenous Excellence, a significant site for Australia’s urban Aboriginal civil rights movement. This followed a day of political tension in Canberra, where the king faced protests from an Indigenous senator.

The visit began with a traditional smoking ceremony, symbolizing cleansing and respect. Among those Charles met was Indigenous chef Aunty Beryl Van-Oploo, who shared “bush tucker” dishes, including kangaroo pies. Elder Michael Welsh greeted the king with an embrace, while a woman identifying as a member of the Stolen Generation welcomed him, saying, “Welcome to this country.”

The Stolen Generation refers to Aboriginal children forcibly removed from their families under historical government policies, leaving deep scars within Indigenous communities.

The warm interactions in Sydney stood in contrast to the previous day’s events in Canberra. Independent senator and Indigenous activist Lidia Thorpe interrupted proceedings at Parliament House, loudly rejecting the monarch’s sovereignty and calling for a treaty recognizing Indigenous Australians’ rights.

King Charles’ visit to Australia has highlighted the ongoing complexities of the nation’s relationship with its Indigenous population, sparking both heartfelt connections and renewed calls for justice.