Newly crowned King of England Charles may face protest on the day of his corronation which is rumoured to come up on the 2nd of July 2023.
According to a report on Telegraph, the protest may happen in London at next year’s coronation of King Charles III. It comes as rumours emerged that the date for the new King’s coronation will be June 2 next year, the same date Queen Elizabeth II had her coronation and 12 months on from her 70th Jubilee, according to Politico.
Republican groups have reported a spike in interest since the accession of the new King, and have dismissed claims that the monarchy or the coronation will be slimmed down or modernised after the death of the Queen. Campaign group Republic did not protest following the Queen’s death, but several individual republicans did stage protests, leading to several arrests during the mourning period.
Republic’s CEO Graham Smith said: “Charles is already king. There is absolutely no need to go through with this expensive pantomime. Sweden and Norway scrapped coronations more than a century ago, if Charles wants to modernise he would start by doing the same.”
He added: “We know the claim of modernising or slimming down the monarchy is hot air. The cost will keep going up and the institution will remain stuck in the past. When next year’s coronation goes ahead it will be met by large republican protests. The movement has gained support over the last ten days, it will continue to grow over the next twelve months.”
Mr Smith also told the Guardian that the group had added 1,000 new members over the past week, with thousands more followers on social channels and raising more than £30,000 to fund anti-monarchy work.
More than 250,000 people were estimated to have queued to see the Queen lying in state in Westminster Hall last week, ahead of her funeral this Monday. Around a quarter of voters believe the monarchy should be abolished and replaced with an elected head of state. Republic is the only dedicated UK-wide campaign group calling for the abolition of the monarchy.
The coronation is a religious and ceremonial occasion and is ultimately paid for by taxpayers. It will see King Charles III formally given the regalia of the role and crowned at Westminster Abbey. The coronation will be an Anglican and Eucharistic service, though there may be a multi-faith element to reflect Britain’s diversity. The service is conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
According to Clarence House, the new sovereign will take the coronation oath, with a pledge to rule according to law, and “to exercise justice with mercy”, and to maintain the Church of England. “After receiving the orb and sceptres, the Archbishop places St Edward’s Crown on the Sovereign’s head. After homage is paid by the Archbishop of Canterbury and senior peers, Holy Communion is celebrated,” the Royal site states.