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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Kyle O'Sullivan

Royal protestors hold Meghan Markle 'people's princess' banner in attack on Charles

Meghan Markle may not be attending King Charles' Coronation - but her presence has already been felt.

The Duchess of Sussex did get invited to the Coronation, but has decided to stay at home in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

The date caused a dilemma for the couple as it fell on Archie's fourth birthday - and was one of the key factors in the Sussex's decision.

Despite being the grandchildren of the new King, it is believed that Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet were not invited, with sources citing that they are "very young".

Before the Coronation started, protestors have started voicing their discontent - with one producing a banner backing Meghan and attacking Charles.

Protestors have been holding up this banner (Andy Lines/Daily Mirror)

Andy Lines, c hief reporter for the Daily Mirror, snapped the card being held aloft by someone in the crowd.

Along with a photo of a beaming Meghan are the words "the people's princess", which was the phrase famously used to describe the late Princess Diana.

In August 1997, then-Prime Minister Tony Blair used the words when paying tribute to Diana, following her tragic death earlier in the day.

The term had first been applied to Diana in a 1992 article by Julie Burchill in the Modern Review, when she described Diana as "the one and only People's – and Pop's – Princess".

In his 2010 autobiography, A Journey, Blair admitted that the phrase "now sounds like something from another age.

The Meghan banner also had what appeared to be wings and the words "not my king" in the corner - in a clear dig at Charles.

Arrests appear to have been made ahead of the Coronation already - with protesters chanting "Not my King" being drowned out by the crowd singing the national anthem.

Only the Duke of Sussex will attend the ceremony (AFP via Getty Images)

Footage posted on Twitter seemed to show demonstrators in yellow 'Not My King' t-shirts being arrested by police, with one officer saying: "They are under arrest, end of."

Republic activist Luke Whiting said: "Six Republic members have been arrested including the CEO as the demonstration was starting at the edge of Trafalgar Square.

"It is unclear why, potentially it is because one of them was carrying a megaphone.

"It is unclear exactly whether the police are using these new powers and whether they are misusing them to stop protest happening."

It is not known whether Meghan will be waking up early in California to watch the Coronation on TV.

It is expected Harry will make a whistle stop trip to the UK for the big event, where he will be reunited with other members of the Royal Family, before going home to be with Archie on his birthday.

Royal editor Omid Scobie tweeted: "I understand that Archie's fourth birthday (also on May 6) played a factor in the couple's decision.

"Expect it to be a fairly quick trip to the UK for Prince Harry, who will only be attending the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey."

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