Large-scale protests planned for coronation of King Charles III

The news of the “Not my King” coronation protest comes after support for the monarchy fell to just 53% in the UK.

Britain’s largest anti-monarchist movement are set to stage large-scale protests along the procession route of King Charles III’s coronation.

The protests will largely centre around the statue of Charles I, who was beheaded in 1649, leading to a short-lived republic in Britain.

Called ‘Republic’, the group of protestors was founded in 1983 with the aim of achieving an elected head of state within the United Kingdom.

Republic believe that the Charles’ ascension to the throne is an opportunity to draw global attention to their cause of ending the monarchy, as the eyes of the world descend upon London next Saturday (May 6th).

Graham Smith, who heads the group, wants to expose what he refers to as an “anachronistic institution with no place in a 21st century democracy”, something which he feels is of heightened importance currently given the cost-of-living crisis.

Over 1,000 people are expected to dress in yellow and join the protest next weekend, in which they will hold up placards calling for the abolishment of the monarchy and give a series of speeches.

As King Charles III passes by the statue of his predecessor, the group plan to chant “Not my King” and boo loudly.

The monarchy’s popularity has been waining for a number of years, an issue which has become even more pronounced since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II last year.

According to a recent YouGov poll, 73% of the British public were in favour of the monarchy in 2012. However, that number now sits at just 53%, as anti-monarchy sentiment grows across the nation.

The poll also found that a paltry 9% of the population cared “a great deal” about the upcoming coronation of King Charles III, with figures indicating support is weakest amongst younger generations.

Further demonstrations against the monarchy are planned for both Cardiff and Edinburgh on the day of the coronation.

Anti-monarchists in Wales and Scotland have been buoyed in recent times by the comments of their respective leaders, Mark Drakeford and Humza Yousaf, who have both stated their want to end the system of the monarchy.

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