Inside the church, discussions about the split between the Sydney Anglican Archdiocese and the Church of England were notably avoided, despite its significance.

Despite the protests, the majority of attendees at the reception warmly welcomed the royals, with only a few republican banners visible.

The church service was limited to local congregants, with a few special guests, including Governor-General Sam Mostyn and New South Wales state Governor Margaret Beazley.

The incident, which occurred shortly after the King's speech, received widespread media attention, with some outlets describing it as an 'outburst.'

Housing Minister Clare O'Neill labeled Thorpe's protest as inappropriate, arguing it detracted from the significance of the Welcome to Country ceremony.

The local government organized viewing areas for the public to see the King and Queen after the church service, attracting thousands of well-wishers.

Although Thorpe's protest did not escalate to violence, it raised questions about the future interactions between the monarchy and Indigenous issues.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton defended the monarchy, noting that many republic supporters were honored to attend the royal reception, while some state governments showed support for a republic by declining invitations.

During his official visit to Australia on October 21, 2024, King Charles III faced protests from Australian lawmaker Lidia Thorpe, who accused the monarchy of genocide and called for a treaty.

The royal couple began their day at St Thomas' Anglican Church in North Sydney, marking their first public appearance after a rest day, attended by a local congregation and featuring a strong security presence due to nearby protests.

King Charles acknowledged a message from an Indigenous leader with nods, reflecting on his previous praise for First Nations peoples.

King Charles reflected on the progress of New South Wales since its founding, emphasizing the importance of representative democracy.