Dozens of anti-monarchy protesters gathered outside Westminster Abbey on Monday ahead of the Royal Family's arrival for the Commonwealth Day Service. The demonstrators, carrying bright yellow placards with slogans such as 'Not My King', 'Down with the Crown', and 'Abolish the Monarchy', chanted through megaphones from United Nations Green, directly opposite the church.
The King and Queen, joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, attended the annual service. The protesters had been setting up since 10am, ensuring their presence was unavoidable as the royals arrived.
Graham Smith, CEO of the Republic campaign group, wrote on X: 'Andrew might be out of the news, but the crisis for the royals isn’t going away. William and Charles have questions to answer, like what did they know and when. That’s what I’ll be asking this morning when I join the Republic protest.'
The protest comes weeks after the King's brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He has denied wrongdoing and was released after 11 hours of questioning.
The Commonwealth Day Service, themed around accelerating partnerships and investment, featured the world premiere of the Commonwealth Symphony by Rekesh Chauhan and a dance collaboration between the Royal Ballet School and Sapnay Entertainments. Performers included a Scottish ceilidh band and the Melodians Steel Orchestra.
