Anti-monarchy protesters heckle King Charles and Camilla during Colchester visit

King Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort, were heckled by anti-monarchy protesters during a royal visit to Colchester. The group, believed to be from the anti-monarchy group Republic, greeted the King with placards and a megaphone that drowned out the national anthem and royal fanfare.

The protesters loudly questioned the cost of the visit to taxpayers and asked the King why he continued to protect his brother, Prince Andrew. They also waved bright yellow placards with the message "Not my King" and demanded that the British public be given the right to choose whether they want to be ruled by an unelected head of state.

CEO of Republic, Graham Smith, told BBC Essex that the group hoped to raise awareness of opposition to the monarchy, which has been steadily growing. Citing a recent poll that suggests support for the monarchy among people aged under 45 has dropped below 50 per cent, Smith argued that the coronation was a massive waste of money, with estimates suggesting that between £50-100 million was being spent on it.


However, Charles and Camilla did not react to the protesters as they made their way down Colchester high street, where they were visiting to celebrate the former town's new city status with a range of royal engagements.

The anti-monarchy group plans to protest at the coronation ceremony on May 6, arguing that the British public should be asked whether they want Charles or a choice. Smith added that the tide is starting to turn against the monarchy and that a serious debate about its future is needed.

The monarchy has faced increased scrutiny in recent years, particularly following Prince Andrew's connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Despite this, support for the monarchy among the wider population remains high, with the Queen remaining one of the most popular figures in the country.

The incident in Colchester is not the first time that members of the royal family have been subjected to heckling and protests. In 2018, Prince Charles and Camilla were targeted by protesters during a visit to New Zealand, while the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have also faced protests during some of their public appearances.

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