PROTESTERS have gathered in London as Trooping the Colour, the King Charles' official birthday celebration parade, kicks off.
Demonstrators from Republic, the UK's leading anti-monarchy pressure group, gathered at The Mall near the George VI/Queen Mother Statue steps, with plans to move towards the palace to peacefully protest against the royal family.
As the royal procession passed them in carriages and on horseback, demonstrators carried signs that read “Down with the Crown," "Not my King" and photos of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Police have told the anti-monarchy protesters that they must stay in a designated area on The Mall during Saturday’s ceremony until officers and stewards allow the public to proceed down the route.
They have also been instructed not to display flags or use noise-making equipment until people are allowed to move forward, saying this was to ensure the event “passes off without serious disruption and with minimal disturbance to horses”.
However, Republic said it planned to protest “right outside Buckingham Palace” when the royal family assembles on the balcony.
The group's chief executive, Graham Smith, said the restrictions were “contemptible” and would keep demonstrators in an area “where we won’t be seen by the royals”.
He said the main message of the protest is to hold the royal family to account over what they knew about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s friendship with paedophile American financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Speaking for Republic, about the files' revelations, Smith said: “The latest files show the Queen lobbying for her son to be given a high-status role for which he was wholly unqualified and unfit.
“We know the Queen, Charles and William have lobbied the government for years. But the details are kept secret.
“The royals have access and leverage, which together with unequalled secrecy raise serious questions about undue influence.”The government needs to bring the royals into the full scope of freedom of information laws.
“Why does the government give the royals what they demand? What possible reason was Andrew made a trade ambassador? The reason is pressure from the royals who put their own interests first.
“Royal lobbying should be subject to the same rules of scrutiny as any other kind of lobbying. The Andrew affair makes that demand even more urgent.”
