At the crowning of King Charles on Saturday, police detained the leader of the anti-monarchy group Republic along with 51 other people, citing their obligation to suppress dissent as a higher priority.
In order to stand out among the red, white, and blue-clad throng lined the procession route in central London, hundreds of yellow-clad protesters congregated there while holding posters reading “Not My King.”
The Republic campaign organisation said that its leader Graham Smith had been taken into custody before the procession started, and images of police removing the demonstrators’ banners from the streets of London appeared on social media.
‘We absolutely understand public concern following the arrests we made this morning,’ Commander Karen Findlay of the London Metropolitan police said in a statement.
‘Over the past 24 hours there has been a significant police operation after we received information protesters were determined to disrupt the Coronation procession.’
Republic had vowed to mount the biggest protest against a British monarch in modern history and protesters booed as King Charles and Queen Camilla made their way to Westminster Abbey, and as the service was relayed publicly on large speakers.
‘It is disgusting and massively over the top,’ said Kevin John, 57, a salesman from Devon who was among the protesters.
‘It is also hugely counterproductive by the police because all it has done is create a massive amount of publicity for us. It is completely crazy.’
Police did not confirm Smith’s arrest. They said they had acted because they believed protesters would seek to deface public monuments with paint and disrupt ‘official movements’.
‘All of these people remain in custody,’ Findlay said.
Protests also took place in Glasgow in Scotland and Cardiff in Wales, with participants holding up signs saying: ‘Abolish the monarchy, feed the people.’
Coronation of King Charles III latest
On social media, many contrasted the cost of living crisis in Britain with the pomp and pageantry on display at the coronation.
Although the protesters were in a minority compared with the tens of thousands gathered on London’s streets to support the king, polls suggest support for the monarchy is declining and is weakest among young people.
With the crown passing from Queen Elizabeth to her less popular son, republican activists hope Charles will be the last British monarch to be crowned.
‘It has a hereditary billionaire individual born into wealth and privilege who basically symbolises the inequality of wealth and power in our society,’ said Clive Lewis, an opposition Labour Party lawmaker.
Most of the anti-monarchy protesters on Saturday had congregated in Trafalgar Square next to the bronze statue of King Charles I, who was beheaded in 1649, leading to a short-lived republic.
Since Charles became king last September, there have been protests at royal events. He was heckled at a Commonwealth Day event at Westminster Abbey in March and targeted with eggs in York in November.
The death of the queen has also reignited debate in Australia, Jamaica and other parts of the commonwealth about the need to retain Charles as their head of state.
The state government of New South Wales said it had decided not to light up the sails of the Sydney Opera House to mark the coronation in order to save money. Events to mark the coronation in other countries where Charles is head of state were also low key.
While many other European monarchies have come and gone, or are far diminished in scale and importance, the British royal family has remained remarkably resilient.
In Britain, polls show the majority of the population still want the royal family, but there is a long-term trend of declining support.
A poll by YouGov last month found 64% of people in Britain said they had little or no interest in the coronation. Among those aged 18 to 24, the number voicing little or no interest rose to 75%.
At the service this afternoon, which will be carried live on BBC, Charles will be joined by other Royals.
The protestors are members of Republic – an anti-monarchy group that wants the Royal Family abolished – and they have said they will host a number of actions ahead of the King’s Coronation in May.
Speaking for Republic, Graham Smith said today: ‘We are continuing a series of protests against the monarchy in the lead up to the coronation.
‘Charles’s pointless parade will cost £50-100m and yet it is entirely unnecessary.’
King Charles remembers late Queen in Commonwealth celebration speech
King Charles, Camilla, Queen Consort, Prince William, Prince of Wales and Kate, Princess of Wales stood side by side at the service today (Picture: PA)Dozens of protestors were defiant against the monarchy as the King attended his first Commonwealth Day service as monarch (Picture: Getty)The King arrived for his first Commonwealth Day service as monarch (Picture: BBC)The Queen Consort clung onto her hat whilst the King enjoyed a performance outside of the Abbey (Picture: BBC)Kate clutched onto her hat as a gust of wind almost lead to a fashion disaster (Picture: PA)William and Kate were greeted by members of the Abbey as they arrived for the service this afternoon (Picture: BBC)One person held a sign that said ‘#racist Royal family'(Picture: Getty)Protestors outside of Westminster Abbey this afternoon (Picture: Getty)The King said ‘The Commonwealth has been a constant in my own life, and yet its diversity continues to amaze and inspire me’ (Picture: Reuters)The King was the first monarch to speak in person at the Commonwealth Day service (Picture: AFP)
‘In light of recent arrests, we’re determined to get the message across that it’s ok to protest against the royals.’
‘Increasingly people are either losing interest in the royals or turning against them. Instead of a pointless, expensive, coronation, we need a serious public debate.’
‘We believe the British public should be asked, do you want Charles or a choice?
‘The tide is starting to turn against the monarchy and we need a serious debate about its future.’
‘Republic will be protesting at the coronation, driving home the message that this is not a national celebration, but promotion of the monarchy at huge cost to the taxpayer.’
King Charles’s Commonwealth Day speech in full
‘Commonwealth Day was an occasion of particular pride for my beloved Mother, The late Queen – a treasured opportunity to celebrate our Commonwealth family, to whose service she dedicated her long and remarkable life.
‘In succeeding Her Majesty as Head of the Commonwealth, I draw great strength from her example, together with all that I have learnt from the extraordinary people I have met, throughout the Commonwealth, over so many years.
‘The Commonwealth has been a constant in my own life, and yet its diversity continues to amaze and inspire me.
‘Its near-boundless potential as a force for good in the world demands our highest ambition; its sheer scale challenges us to unite and be bold.
‘This week marks the tenth anniversary of the Charter of the Commonwealth, which gives expression to our defining values – peace and justice; tolerance, respect and solidarity; care for our environment, and for the most vulnerable among us.
‘These are not simply ideals. In each lies an imperative to act, and to make a practical difference in the lives of the 2.6 billion people who call the Commonwealth home.
‘Whether on climate change and biodiversity loss, youth opportunity and education, global health, or economic co-operation, the Commonwealth can play an indispensable role in the most pressing issues of our time. Ours is an association not just of shared values, but of common purpose and joint action.
‘In this we are blessed with the ingenuity and imagination of a third of the world’s population, including one and a half billion people under the age of thirty. Our shared humanity contains an immensely precious diversity of thought, culture, tradition and experience. By listening to each other, we will find so many of the solutions that we seek.
‘This extraordinary potential, which we hold in common, is more than equal to the challenges we face. It offers us unparalleled strength not merely to face the future, but to build it.
‘Here, the Commonwealth has an incredible opportunity, and responsibility, to create a genuinely durable future – one that offers the kind of prosperity that is in harmony with Nature and that will also secure our unique and only planet for generations to come.
‘The myriad connections between our nations have sustained and enriched us for more than seven decades. Our commitment to peace, progress and opportunity will sustain us for many more.
‘Let ours be a Commonwealth that not only stands together, but strives together, in restless and practical pursuit of the global common good.’
‘The time for change is here.’
Commonwealth Day is celebrated on the second Monday in March each year, with observances, speeches, exhibitions and cultural events across the 56 Commonwealth member countries.
The Prince and Princess of Wales were greeted by the Dean of Westminster Dr David Hoyle when they arrived at the great west door of the ancient Westminster Abbey.
The King and Queen Consort watched as members of the Ngati Ranana London Maori Club performed a traditional welcome for the monarch and his wife outside the great west door.
The Duchess of Edinburgh was welcomed by dignitaries at Westminster Abbey (Picture: PA)Anne, Princess Royal arriving at Westminster Abbey (Picture: BBC)
Charles and Camilla were greeted inside by the Dean of Westminster and exchanged welcomes with other members of the royal family before processing through the nave to their seats.
The King will be crowned at Westminster Abbey on May 6 and in his bidding, the Dean of Westminster, Dr David Hoyle, referenced the coronation ceremony as the Commonwealth Day service began.
He said: ‘We will pray too for our King as we look to the day when we will gather here again in loyalty and affection.
‘As people of faith, hope, and compassion, we shall pray for the peoples of Turkey, Syria, and Ukraine, and all for whom the last year has brought great suffering and loss.’
The Queen Consort was wearing the late Queen Elizabeth II’s sapphire chrysanthemum brooch.
The sparkling diamond and sapphire piece set in platinum was worn by Princess Elizabeth for the official photos taken on her honeymoon with the late Duke of Edinburgh at Broadlands in Hampshire in 1947.
The late Queen was also pictured wearing the jewellery when she and Philip marked 73 years of marriage in 2020 – their final wedding anniversary together before the duke died in 2021.
Camilla was wearing a sapphire blue wool crepe dress and coat by Fiona Clare, and a matching feather beret by Philip Treacy.
As she stepped from her car outside Westminster Abbey, she was forced to hold onto her hat to prevent it from blowing away in the strong winds.
Also taking part in the royal procession was Prince Edward – who was given the title of Duke of Edinburgh on his 59th birthday last week. Along with his wife Sophie, now the Duchess of Edinburgh.
The Duke of Edinburgh made his first appearance since being handed his new title by the King (Picture: BBC)Defiant members of Republic stood outside of the famous Abbey this morning (Picture: REUTERS)The Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Tony Radakin lays a wreath at the Commonwealth Memorial Gates (Picture: PA)
King Charles’s attendance at the service also marks a break with royal tradition, as the sovereign is to deliver a speech during the ceremony.
In previous years the Queen had her statement published on the order of the service and broadcast in its audio version.
The King left personal mark today and read his message from the abbey’s Great Pulpit.
His much-anticipated speech is likely going to touch on climate change, the support for free and democratic societies and peace and prosperity around the Commonwealth and the world.
In another innovation, the King will host the Commonwealth Day reception at Buckingham Palace rather than Marlborough House, as has happened in the past
The theme of today’s Commonwealth Day is ‘forging a sustainable and peaceful common future’.
