King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla faced a very mixed reception during an official visit to Colchester on Tuesday March 8.
The royal couple traveled to the eastern English town to celebrate the
Essex Year of Reading
, a campaign to encourage reading among children, a cause dear to the Queen Consort, who also defends a number of literacy programs in the country.
A crowd of well-wishers gathered to catch a glimpse of the 74-year-old monarch and his 75-year-old wife.
Reporters at the scene noted the cheers of the crowd as they arrived at Colchester Library, but these were drowned out by heated boos and jeers from activists from the anti-monarchy group Republic.
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These demonstrators waved banners on which was noted the inscription "Not My King" (Not My King) and shouted for the monarch "to come and speak to [his] detractors".
Graham Smith, an official with the organisation, told the
Daily Mail
that they were determined to spread the message that it was okay to protest against the monarchy: 'More and more people are losing interest in the royal family or turn against it.
Instead of a useless and costly coronation, we need a serious public debate,” he said.
Among the hostile protesters was theorist Piers Corbyn.
Described as a "conspirator" by the British media, the brother of former Labor Party leader Jeremy Corbyn is infamous for his climatosceptic and anti-vax theses uttered during containment measures in 2020.
The royal couple ignored the boos they received and then walked into the library.
Once safely inside and away from protesters, Charles and Camilla had tea with volunteers.
This is not the first time that the King of England has dealt with this anti-monarchy group.
Last month he faced a similar protest when he visited Milton Keynes.
Charles also received an egg on his head while on tour in York in December.
Republic has pledged to hold a series of protests ahead of and during his coronation on May 6 at Westminster Abbey, London.
In video, a passerby throws eggs at King Charles III