Anti-monarchists unfurling huge yellow ‘Not My King’ flags have joined the thousands of royal super-fans and well-wishers on the Mall for King Charles III‘s coronation.
‘Not My King’ demonstrators were heard shouting anti-monarchy slogans as they joined the thousands of people who had assembled on the coronation route in central London this morning.
Up to 2,000 people are expected to join peaceful ‘Not My King’ protests in Trafalgar Square and along the coronation procession route today.
It comes amid fears eco-zealots are plotting a graffiti attack on a monument in The Mall during the Coronation of King Charles, as police vow hardline action against such tactics.
A ‘ring of steel’ has been placed around the capital with 11,500 police officers on duty and a further 10,000 military personnel taking part in the ceremony, in what is set to be the biggest security operation in British history.
Anti-monarchists unfurl huge yellow flags on the Mall on the day of King Charles’ coronation
A protester waving a ‘Not My King’ flag at Trafalgar Square, central London, on Saturday
A record 11,500 police officers – a large number of them armed – will guard London this weekend in what is set to be the biggest security operation in British history
On the Mall, Republic protesters were seen crammed into one corner Trafalgar Square as a spokesman for the group, who would only give his first name of Luke, said: ‘ We are here to stay at her opposition to the monarchy.
‘We don’t want them and we don’t need them and they don’t represent the entire population. We should have an elected head of state.
‘It is not a good system with good values that we have at the moment.’
He said his organisation had chosen the coronation as it was an important event, which would attract attention from all over the world and help spread their message.
Metropolitan Police marksmen take up position ahead of the coronation
Huge crowds have already gathered in central London ahead of the King’s coronation
Earlier this week, Republic said ‘it will not be deterred’ after receiving a ‘passive aggressive’ letter from the Home Office warning them against plans to protest at the King’s coronation.
The group has slammed the Home Office for the official warning letter which they ‘interpreted as a passive/aggressive intimidation of a legitimate protest group’.
The letter, sent by the Home Office’s Police Powers Unit, set out new offences under the Public Order Bill which was given Royal assent by the monarch yesterday.
Under new legislation, protesters blocking key infrastructure such as roads, airports and railways can face 12 months behind bars.
Anyone found ‘locking on’ or gluing themselves to buildings or objects could get six months in jail and face an unlimited fine.
A police officer standing guard as thousands of people stand along the procession route ahead of the King’s coronation
A protester seen wearing a ‘Not My King’ beanie hat
A protester waves a ‘Not My King’ placard as thousands gather in central London for the coronation
Police can also stop and search anyone they suspect is planning to cause disruption under measures which came into force today – ahead of the coronation on May 6.
The Home Office has contacted a number of protest groups to notify them of new offences which may affect them.
But Graham Smith, the chief executive of Republic, said its campaign around the coronation will proceed as planned.
Mr Smith said it is ‘very odd’ the letter came from the Home Office and described it as ‘intimidatory’.
He said: ‘We have had two meetings with the Met police, and numerous phone conversations.
‘They have repeatedly said they have no concerns about Republic’s plans. It is a mystery why the Home Office thought it was necessary to send us an anonymous letter that could be interpreted as intimidation.’
‘Republic will not be deterred and we will be protesting on Trafalgar Square and along the route of the coronation procession on Saturday.
‘It is telling that Charles, who has had no problem speaking up on various issues, has chosen not to defend democratic rights when they are being threatened in his name. Perhaps he might make it clear that he believes in the right to protest.’
