Between Queen Elizabeth II’s passing in September 2022 and King Charles’s coronation last year, the Windsors could not step outside without getting protested. Many of the protests were organized by Republic, the anti-monarchy group which saw its numbers swell following QEII’s death. But it wasn’t just Republic – there were more informal protests, like the spate of egg-tossings at the new king in the fall and winter of 2022. Charles’s coronation saw large protests as well, even if the police really tried to crack down on them during the state event. Post-coronation, Republic has mostly been staging their protests at the biggest events, like the “Scottish coronation,” which featured people with bullhorns loud enough to reach inside the church, and last year’s opening of Parliament. Well, now that King Charles and the Princess of Wales both have cancer, will the protests subside for a time? Nope.
Anti-monarchy campaign group, Republic, has vowed to continue to protest at royal engagements despite both the King and the Princess of Wales being treated for cancer. Activists have vowed to protest at Worcester Cathedral on Thursday, when the Queen will represent the King at the traditional Royal Maundy service.
On Friday, Republic acknowledged the Princess’s video statement, in which she revealed she was undergoing cancer treatment, and wished her a speedy recovery. But spokesman Graham Smith said: “Unlike royalists, we don’t conflate the family with the institution. It’s the institution we’re protesting against this week. This is a campaign about principles, politics and reform. We criticise the royals in their capacity as public officials on the public payroll – those criticisms are serious and many. Yet the monarchy is not about the individuals and their private lives.”
He added: “Republic’s campaign continues unabated and the protests will continue for as long as the monarchy is there. When Camilla visits Worcester on Thursday it will be a reminder too of how out of touch the monarchy is with the values of most of us. Values such as equality, democracy and the rule of law.”
As I’m writing this, Queen Camilla has not arrived for the Maundy service so I haven’t seen the scale of the protests today. I would imagine it will be a lot like last year though, where Republic staged a boisterous protest outside of a York church for the Maundy service. As for “there will still be protests even though several royals are sick” – I’m fine with it. I hope British people are fine with it. That being said, if and when the Princess of Wales comes back to work, Republic probably should avoid protesting her first few events. The papers will very quickly turn the protesters into the worst villains ever. But protesting Camilla? Yeah, people will be fine with it.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.