Commonwealth Indigenous leaders demand King acknowledges colonial genocides, returns stolen artefacts

Lidia Thorpe (left) is among the famous faces demanding King Charles III apologise to First Nations people and compensate them for the disastrous effects of colonisation

A letter with signatories from 12 countries historically subjected to colonial rule also calls on the new monarch to acknowledge the genocides sparked by his empire's invasions of those territories

Recently members of the royal family expressed regret for their historical links to the slave trade; the letter calls on the monarch to 'substantiate' the statements. The DjabWurrung Gunnai Gunditjmara woman said the letter is the result of an extensive consultation amongst First Nations people from Commonwealth nations