Aboriginal protester arrested outside Sydney Opera House

An Aboriginal protester has been arrested at the Sydney Opera House as crowds wait to see the King and Queen on the final day of their tour of Australia.

Crowds of people filled the station square where the royal couple are due to arrive on Tuesday afternoon.

Wayne Wharton, a prominent Indigenous activist from Brisbane, was arrested after shouting anti-monarchy slogans and refusing police orders to move on.

It comes as backlash grows over the Aboriginal senator’s criticism of King Charles in Canberra on Monday, with politicians and some Indigenous leaders condemning Lydia Thorpe’s behavior.

Mr Wharton shouted: “He is not my king”, repeating Thorpe’s words the previous day.

The crowd waiting for the royals – many clutching mini Union Jack flags – shouted back: “God save the King.”

Mr Wharton also protested outside a church service which the royals attended on Sunday.

When the Cooma man was arrested and placed in a police van on Tuesday, the gathered crowd applauded the officers.

Many of the hundreds of people had been queuing since Tuesday morning, some wearing Union Jacks. Others accessorized themselves with royal-style jewelry and handbags.

“We want to celebrate our country and all the people in it,” said Karen Clark with her young sons Benjamin and Harrison, who wore crowns and faux fur-trimmed capes.

“We were brought up with the King, we celebrate the King’s birthday with the boys – it’s fun to drink tea and dress up in our best clothes.”

“My father was from Liverpool and I was always interested in the royal family,” says Bettina Betuel, who came with her friend Taya Shepherd.

Taja saw Thorpe’s criticism on TV and was not impressed.

“I thought it was a little rude, but I guess she was making a point about Indigenous people,” she said. “But I don’t think the way she acted was appropriate.”

Across town on Tuesday, King Charles visited the National Aboriginal Center of Excellence in Redfern, where he met with Aboriginal elders.

The independent senator’s protest was praised by some Indigenous activists as courageous, but condemned by other prominent Aboriginal Australians as “embarrassing” and disrespectful.

This was also heavily criticized by her parliamentary colleagues.