KING Charles III and the Queen Consort arrived on a royal visit to Colchester to shouts from protesters holding a yellow banner that said “not my king”.
One of the protesters, who was heard speaking through a megaphone, said as the pair got out of a car: “Answer your critics Charles, come and talk to your critics.”
The protester added: “Why are you wasting your money?”
The King waved to the crowds that had gathered before going through a gate into Colchester Castle grounds, but did not appear to acknowledge the protesters who were stood on the far side of the road behind a police presence.
The pair were visiting Colchester to celebrate its recently awarded city status.
Speaking to BBC Essex ahead of the King’s arrival, protester and Republic CEO Graham Smith said: “Why is Charles wasting tens of millions of pounds on a pointless parade?
Protestors have also turned up at Colchester Castle ahead of the King's visit today. Graham Smith, CEO of Republic, explains why they are here. More on the King's visit here: https://t.co/bP1i4SVE3U pic.twitter.com/73uFwcrmm0
— BBC Essex (@BBCEssex) March 7, 2023
“He doesn’t need a coronation, he’s already King.”
The group said that by protesting they hoped to raise awareness of opposition to the monarchy, which they added has been steadily growing.
In December last year, a new poll revealed that a majority of Scots want to see an independent Scotland become a republic with an elected head of state.
Smith continued: “This coronation is a massive waste of money. Anywhere between £50-100 million pounds is being spent on it, when there are schools and hospitals struggling with cuts, when there are people struggling with the cost of living crisis.
“We think that’s appalling, and we think Charles should respond to those criticisms.”
He added that the group plans to protest at the coronation ceremony on May 6.
“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.”
It comes after the King invited leading cultural and educational institutions – including Scotland’s ancient universities – to swear loyalty to him.
He will receive the so-called “privileged bodies” – a group of 27 organisations and corporations – which will present loyal addressed to the sovereign in person in the ballroom of Buckingham Palace on Thursday.
They serve to “emphasise and reaffirm their loyalty to the monarch”, the Palace said with Charles delivering a response at the end.
The Universities of Aberdeen, St Andrews, Glasgow and Edinburgh will be among those to take part in the ceremony.
The institutions present are described as “culturally significant organisations and institutions that reflect the United Kingdom’s diverse society”.
