King Charles in Bordeaux, France on Sept. 22; anti-monarchy group Republic’s protest inside Buckingham Palace on Sept. 23.Photo:THIBAUD MORITZ/POOL/AFP via Getty; Republic
THIBAUD MORITZ/POOL/AFP via Getty; Republic
WhileKing Charles’ state visit to France ended smoothly, protestors caused a commotion inside Buckingham Palace.
On Saturday, members of the anti-monarchy group Republic staged a demonstration inside the iconic royal residence in London. Organizers tweeted that it was the “first-ever protest” inside Buckingham Palace walls and posted a photo of nine activists in black T-shirts that spelled out “Not My King” — the slogan Republic has adopted during Charles’ reign — on X (formerly known as Twitter).
“Just after midday today, members of Republic staged a protest inside Buckingham Palace. The group of local activists from different parts of the UK visited the palace as tourists, before standing in the Grand Hall wearing t-shirts that spelled out ‘Not My King,’ ” Republic said in astatementon Sept. 20.
“This is a first, an anti-monarchy protest inside Buckingham Palace. A fantastic statement of intent, citizens standing up in the home of the monarchy to declare their opposition to hereditary power,” Smith said in a statement.
“Charles is not an untouchable monarch, he is not immune to criticism and doesn’t enjoy the deference that protected the monarchy while his mother was on the throne,” he continued, referring toQueen Elizabeth, who reigned for a record 70 years before her death in September 2022 at age 96.
The activist added that Republic will next protest theState Opening of Parliamenton Nov. 7. The event is significant as it is the first of the new reign and will be the first time Charles, 74, delivers his King’s Speech.
Then-Prince Charles at the State Opening of Parliament in 2022.BEN STANSALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
The event is steeped in tradition — and calls for royal regalia. Although Queen Elizabeth opted to wear a day dress and hat in recent years, the State Opening of Parliament often saw the late monarch wearing the Imperial State Crown (or a diadem) and her long velvet Robe of State.
Meanwhile, members of the House of Lords wear ceremonial robes, and judges of the High Court of Justice wear wigs.
Republic’s latest statement followed King Charles and Queen Camilla’s three-day state visit to France. The royal couple was abroad from Sept. 20 to Sept. 22, stepping out for a triprescheduledfrom March due to pension-related protests for French workers.
King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at the Elysee Presidential Palace in France on Sept. 20.Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
In apalace briefingbefore the trip, King Charles' deputy private secretary Chris Fitzgerald said the idea for the visit was to celebrate “Britain’s relationship with France, marking our shared histories, culture and values.” Fitzgerald added that the program “remains very similar to that which was planned for March, meaning the themes of the visit are also, for the most part, unchanged.”
While the King and Queen received a warm welcome in France, Republic previouslymade a statementon their May 6 coronation day.
Republic protested in London on King Charles' May 6 coronation day.Piroschka van de Wouw - WPA Pool/Getty
Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
While supportive crowds lined the London streets hoping to catch a glimpse of King Charles and Queen Camilla on the day of their crowning ceremony, members of Republic gathered in Trafalgar Square, chanting “Not my King.” Many of the activists wore yellow and brandished signs in the movement’s signature hue.
“I’m protesting because I’m a member of Republic, which is the campaign group for a republic in this country because I want to see the monarchy abolished. It might not happen in my lifetime, but it might happen in my children’s lifetime,” a protestor named Anna told PEOPLE at the time. “I believe there is too much classism and snobbery in this country and the royal families sit at the very top of that pyramid, and if we abolish the monarchy I think we’ll have a fairer, better, society, more democratic and a country that I’d be proud to call my own.”
King Charles and Queen Camilla wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on their May 6 coronation day.Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
The coronation day wasn’t the first time that King Charles kept calm and carried on in the face of protestors. Anti-monarchy group Republic hasgathered at many of the monarch’s royal engagementsin recent months, holding yellow signs with slogans such as “Not My King.”
In December, King Charles kept cool during a walkabout in Luton when anegg was allegedly thrown in his direction. He was greeting well-wishers gathered outside Luton Town Hall when an egg flew towards where he stood, theAssociated Pressreported. According to the outlet, protection officers redirected the royal to another spot, where he continued shaking hands with people. Bedfordshire Police said that a man in his 20s was detained and taken into custody, theBBCreported.
Kate Middleton’s visit to the Foundling Museum in May included a lone protestor.Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty
Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty
More recently,Kate Middletonstayed focused when a lone activist staged a “very small republican protest” outside the Foundling Museum in London when the Princess of Wales visited in May, Richard Palmer of the Daily Express wrote onX. Princess Kate didn’t react to the activist as she exited the Foundling Museum after the hour-long visit. The protestor stood with well-wishers and chanted “Born equal,” according tofootagefrom royals reporter Victoria Ward. According to Ward, the activist was not affiliated with Republic.
source: people.com
