CANBERRA — During a speech on Monday at Australia’s Parliament House, King Charles faced serious accusations of “genocide” from an Indigenous senator right after he honored the traditional ownership of the land.

This was King Charles’ 16th official trip to Australia and his first significant outing since his cancer diagnosis. After delivering his speech, independent senator and Indigenous advocate Lidia Thorpe interrupted by asserting that she did not acknowledge Charles’ claim over Australia.

“You committed genocide against our people,” she shouted. “Return our land. Give us back what you have taken — our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people. You have devastated our land. We demand a treaty. We want a treaty.”

Thorpe, known for her protest actions against Australia’s colonization, was prevented from reaching the king, who seemed calm as he talked quietly with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Shortly afterward, Thorpe was removed from the hall.

Thorpe has previously stated that the issues arising from colonization, including violence and incarceration, can only be resolved through a national treaty with Indigenous peoples.

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who belonged to the conservative Liberal Party and attended the event, described the incident as “unfortunate political exhibitionism.”

Despite the protest, the day was filled with tributes and well-wishes for Charles and Queen Camilla from guests, with Albanese highlighting Australians’ respect for their monarch and commending Charles for his dedicated advocacy on climate change.

In his speech, Charles briefly mentioned Australia’s republican discussions, a topic supported by Albanese and his center-left Labor Party.

“The Australia you once knew has transformed in many ways,” he commented. “Yet through all these changes, our bonds of respect and affection have matured and endured.”

Following an unsuccessful attempt earlier this year to establish an Indigenous advisory body, Albanese postponed planned discussions about turning Australia into a republic.

King Charles Greets an Alpaca Named After Hugh Hefner

After the parliamentary visit, the king took time at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra where he and Queen Camilla met thousands of admirers, including a nine-year-old alpaca named Hephner, who was dressed in a suit and had a small crown on his fluffy white head.

Hephner, named in honor of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, patiently waited outside the memorial with his owner Robert Fletcher and many others for the opportunity to meet the royal couple on their brief tour of the capital.

“He has a variety of outfits, and this one was saved especially for today,” Fletcher remarked. “It’s a moment where one king meets another.”

Hephner’s wait was rewarded when, during a 30-minute stroll to greet the crowd, Charles took a moment to pet the alpaca, laughing when Hephner snorted at him.

The royal couple’s visit will continue with a trip to Sydney on Tuesday, followed by a meeting with representatives from Commonwealth nations in Samoa.