Royalists, protesters clash as King visits Indigenous hub

There were mixed opinions from Sydneysiders on Tuesday as King Charles visited the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Redfern.

King Charles has faced another day of protests on his Australian tour with ugly scenes breaking out as he visited an Indigenous hub in Sydney.

Locals both in support and opposition of the royal visit congregated outside of the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Redfern on Tuesday as the monarch witnessed a smoking ceremony and met with key elders.

King Charles III takes part in a smoking ceremony during a visit to the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence. Picture: Newswire

While welcoming Charles to the centre, Chairperson of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council Allan Murray gave a nod to Senator Lidia Thorpe’s protest in Canberra on Monday.

Thorpe interrupted a reception being attended by the monarch in Parliament House, shouting “you are not our king” and “this is not your land” before being removed from the proceedings.

Crowds gather in Redfern to get a glimpse of the King. Picture: Getty

“We’ve got stories to tell and I think you witnessed that story yesterday,” Mr Murray said.

“Welcome to Gadigal land.”

Outside of the centre, Thorpe’s words were being shouted by protesters on the street, with police forced to step in at one point after they began to clash with royal fans.

The protesters began trading barbs with royal fans. Picture: News Corp Australia

Police stepped in to remove the two groups from each other. Picture: News Corp Australia

One royalist was directed to move up the road by police while an Indigenous protester – Redfern woman Glenda Weldon – was spoken to by multiple officers.

Charles only briefly waved to the waiting crowd as he left the venue.

Speaking to news.com.au, Ms Weldon said thought Charles visiting the Indigenous centre was a “bloody joke”.

The protesters were spoken to by police. Picture: Supplied

The royal fan was asked to move on by police. Picture: News Corp Australia

“It’s the last black owned thing that this community has,” she said.

She also said she backed Senator Thorpe’s demonstration in Canberra on Monday.

“We have a right to be arrogant. We have a right to protest,” she said about Thorpe.

King Charles III waves to the waiting public after a visit to the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence. Picture: Getty

“I love her. I think Lidia Thorpe needs to the Prime Minister. She will do the job properly.”

However, other Indigenous locals were thrilled to see Charles in Redfern and were critical of Thorpe’s actions on Tuesday.

King Charles receives a hug during a visit to the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Sydney. Picture: AFP

Redfern resident Dylan – who has a tattoo of the royals on his back – called her actions “disgusting”.

He labelled Thorpe’s actions as “disgusting”. Picture: News Corp Australia

Dylan said he got his tattoo about a year ago. Picture: News Corp Australia

“I am Indigenous and I thought it was disrespectful,” he said.

Ben, who formerly lived in Waterloo before moving to the Shire, said there was a “time and place”.

“I have Aboriginal background and like to find a happy middle ground,” he said.

“I think you need to show a bit of respect to people regardless of opinion.”

Local woman Emelda called her “a disgrace”.

Local resident Emelda. Picture: News Corp Australia

Ben, who was waiting to see the King with his son. Picture: News Corp Australia

“They shouldn’t have let her through the door,” she said.

Meanwhile, Queen Camilla was attending food rescue charity OzHarvest down the road in Surry Hills.

The Queen sat down for lunch at OzHarvest’s Refettorio restaurant with regular patrons who came for a free vegetarian lunch made from rescued foods.

Attendees at the event were mostly in support of Thorpe’s protest action in Canberra.

“I think the publicity is worth it,” one said.

“It was a good moment that gets people talking about it,” another said.

Originally published as Royalists, protesters clash as King visits Indigenous hub