ANTI-monarchy campaigners heckled King Charles as he attended a Commonwealth Day ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
Republic gathered outside of the event in central London and could be heard shouting “not my King” as the monarch and other members of the Royal Family entered the Anglican church.
It was the first time Charles has attended the religious services as head of state, with the 74-year-old giving a speech from the great pulpit in the abbey.
However, republican campaigners gathered across the road from the huge church were out in force, brandishing yellow placards and hoodies brandished with the slogan “Not My King”.
In footage seen by The National, one campaigner from the anti-monarchy group, standing with Westminster Abbey in the background, can be heard shouting through a megaphone: “The monarchy is wrong in principle, it's a corrupt institution, and it's bad for our democracy which is why we’re standing here today.
“He’s not our King, and instead of a coronation we need an election, instead of Charles we need a choice.”
King Charles was attending a Commonwealth Day service, with Queen Consort Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the new Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were also in attendance.
For his address the King drew on the Commonwealth Day theme for 2023, Forging a Sustainable and Peaceful Common Future.
He told the congregation: “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 30.
“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.”
The King delivered his address in person from the abbey’s great pulpit in a move that was a departure from previous messages from the Queen, who sometimes pre-recorded her speech.
He concluded his message by saying: “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.”
