“Down with the crown!”, shout anti-monarchy protesters in London

At the passage of the carriage in which Charles IIIaccompanied by the Queen CamillaHe was on his way to his coronation in LondonAnna Edwards did not fervently wave a British flag, but held up a banner reading “Not my king”.

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Like her, hundreds of Republican protesters gathered in trafalgar square early on Saturday and put up huge yellow flags reading “abolish the monarchy” along the route that the royal couple followed on this historic day.

“I stand for democracy and believe that people should be able to choose whether or not they want a monarch as head of state.”said Edwards, a 33-year-old Londoner.

“I am not particularly anti-monarchist, but I am in favor of the election”, he told AFP as hundreds of protesters arrived in a festive atmosphere.

But, one question was on everyone’s lips: would the police intervene, who had announced a very low level of “tolerance” with the protests, to prevent the mobilization?

Members of the anti-monarchy group the Republic stage a protest in Trafalgar Square, near where Britain’s King Charles III and Britain’s Queen Consort Camilla are to be crowned at Westminster Abbey in central London on May 6, 2023. (Photo by Susannah Ireland / AFP) (SUSANNAH IRELAND /)

Soon the news that everyone feared spread: graham smiththe leader of republic group who called the demonstration, had been arrested.

The police arrested “six of our organizers and confiscated hundreds of banners” with the motto “Not my King”confirmed to AFP minutes later a spokesman for the group.

“Free Graham Smith!”the protesters began to chant as they watched the crowd from a raised platform, equipped with binoculars and cameras.

“This is exactly why we are here today, because the monarchy represents everything that is wrong with the world. United Kingdom: privileges, inequality and lack of democracy”he told AFP martin weegmanwho wore a cap Republic.

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“I can’t believe it, it’s outrageous”said Eva, 19, as she looked at the images of the arrests on her cell phone.

This math student explained that she did not plan to attend the demonstration at first, but changed her mind when the accelerated promulgation of a new law was announced on Wednesday, criticized by the UNwhich gives greater powers to the police to limit demonstrations.

“Everything is wrong in this lawso today I don’t really feel like celebrating anything.”he added.

Republicans remain in the minority United Kingdombut they have become more visible since the death of the popular Elizabeth II in September.

A handful of them manifest almost habitually when Charles III travels on some official visit.

A member of the anti-monarchy group Republic is detained by police officers as they stage a protest near where Britain’s King Charles III and Britain’s Queen Consort Camilla are to be crowned at Westminster Abbey in central London on May 6. from 2023. (Photo by Niklas HALLE’N / AFP) (NIKLAS HALLE’N /)

Headdressed in a hat decorated with the British flag, Alice Ridge65, went to cheer the king, but found himself in the middle of the protest.

“Don’t spoil the party”she said, visibly upset, before walking off.

The coexistence was cordial between the demonstrators and the rest of the crowd, until when the royal procession approached, the supporters of the monarchy booed those who shouted “He is not my king!” and “Down with the crown!”. And they began to sing the national anthem, “God Save The King”while waving British flags.

Jane, in her thirties, was amused by this confrontation. She was glad that so many protesters came out despite the rain to criticize a monarchy “outdated”.

“It’s very nice to see sensible and thoughtful people protesting against this farce”, counted.

Welsh anti-monarchist protesters gather in Cardiff city center for a ‘Not My King’ rally in Cardiff, South Wales, on May 6, 2023, the day Britain’s King Charles III is crowned. in London. (Photo by Geoff Caddick / AFP) (GEOFF CADDICK /)

“Now there is a real voice for republicanism” in the United Kingdomadded Anna, a 54-year-old woman who did not want to give her last name.

He pointed to recent polls showing a rise in Republican sentiment, especially among younger people. “The moment has come”he claimed.

Source: Elcomercio