Senator Lidia Thorpe deletes image of decapitated King Charles she says was shared without her knowledge
Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe says she deleted an image of a beheaded King Charles III that was shared on her social media page without her approval.
In the hours after Thorpe protested in front of the King in Parliament House in Canberra yesterday, a cartoon reportedly showing the monarch's decapitated head was shared on the Victorian senator's Instagram page.
The image was accompanied by the text "You are not our king", part of what Thorpe said as she interrupted proceedings in the Great Hall.
READ MORE: 'Not your land': Outburst at Charles during Parliament House visit
Thorpe (left) and a cropped excerpt from the image that was shared on her social media (right). Nine/Supplied
A screenshot of the explanation Senator Thorpe shared on her Instagram. Instagram
"Earlier tonight, without my knowledge, one of my staff shared an image to my Instagram stories created by another account," Thorpe said in an explanation on Instagram.
"I deleted it as soon as I saw.
"I would not intentionally share anything that could be seen to encourage violence against anyone.
"That's not what I'm about."
Thorpe's brash demonstration in Parliament House has been polarising, with much praise for the senator as well as criticisms of her actions.
All cameras in the Great Hall quickly honed in on the Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung woman as she shouted "give us our land back", "not your land" and "you are not my king. You are not our king".
She also called for the king to "give us a treaty", and was heard saying "f--- the colony" before she was eventually escorted out by security.
READ MORE: 'Deplorable': Retired Brisbane teacher charged with abusing dozens of children
The independent senator's protest has polarised opinions. Lukas Coch-Pool/Getty Images
King Charles, 75, who ascended to the throne following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, appeared unperturbed by the protest.
Critics condemned the display as offensive. Former Indigenous senator and Olympian Nova Peris said she was "deeply disappointed".
"Her outburst, which disrupted what should have been a respectful event, was both embarrassing and disrespectful to our nation and the Royal Family," Peris said on X.
Supporters of Thorpe praised her as "legendary" in posts on Instagram that were then shared by the senator.
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