The monarch was visiting Milton Keynes, located about 80 km north of London. An activist is said to have asked Charles “why he was wasting money on his coronation”.
King Charles III was welcomed Thursday by a handful of anti-monarchy activists during a trip to the city of Milton Keynes, located about 80 km north of London.
Mixed in with the crowd who came to greet him, they held up yellow signs on which was written “Not my King” (Not my king), and some booed the monarch as he arrived. The demonstration was organized by “Republic”, a group which calls for the end of the monarchy and the establishment of an elected head of state.
“I asked Charles why he was wasting money on his coronation. He didn’t answer,” Republic leader Graham Smith said on Twitter.
Questions raised by the death of the queen
Charles III, whose coronation is scheduled for May 6, was in Milton Keynes to celebrate the town’s achievement of city status, awarded on the occasion of Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
The Queen’s death in September has raised questions about the future of the monarchy as the Royal Family recently faced criticism from the King’s youngest son Prince Harry and his wife Meghan.
In Milton Keynes, ignoring the whistles, the ruler shook hands with many in the crowd, some of whom shouted “God save the King”, drowning out the voices of anti-monarchists.
Targeted by egg throws
This is not the first time he has faced such protests since taking the throne in September.
On several occasions, he was the target of egg throwing. A 21-year-old man was fined 100 pounds (about 112 euros) in January for throwing an egg at the king in December during a trip to Luton, north London.
A student, Patrick Thelwell, is awaiting trial for also throwing eggs at the king in November in the city of York (northeast England). He pleaded not guilty, defending the idea that his gesture could be considered a “legitimate demonstration”.
