On Commonwealth Day, the senior royals were confronted with furious protesters outside Westminster Abbey – and one royal expert believes there is only one way to deal with the anti-monarchist disruption
King Charles and a host of senior royals were confronted with a large group of furious protesters earlier this week, as members of the anti-monarchy group Republic gathered outside Westminster Abbey ahead of the Commonwealth Day service. The monarch, as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales and Princess Anne, were forced to ignore their chants as they entered the London church for the annual service.
The group held large bright yellow placards and chanted “Abolish the monarchy” and “Down with the Crown” as the royals entered the Abbey. They also held signs that read “Charles, what did you know?” in relation to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s involvement with Jeffrey Epstein.
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Some of the signs featured images of the disgraced royal that emerged when millions of documents from the Epstein files were released, as the protesters demanded answers from the King about his younger brother’s indiscretions.
The Republic group have made themselves known at dozens of royal events over the years, including Trooping the Colour and Charles’ coronation, with the size of their demonstrations slowly increasing as the Royal Family grapples with the turbulent time.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond believes that while the protesters are no doubt distracting from the royals’ duties, there is very little the Firm can do other than proceed business as usual.
Jennie told the Mirror : “There’s no denying that the Republican movement is making more of a splash – and more of a noise – these days. It’s obviously an embarrassment for the Royal Family and, for the first time, I think the movement is beginning to do some damage to the monarchy’s popularity. But the royals really have no choice but to ignore the shouting and carry on.”
Jennie explained that the royals are no strangers to protesters, dodging anti-monarchy sentiments at many events over the years, but have learned to drown out the noise and focus on the royal fans who show up for them instead.
“I always think it’s a bit tough on the royals to be the targets of such angry protests,” the royal expert said. “They didn’t ask to be born into the jobs they’ve inherited and, in my opinion, they’re trying to make the best of it. One thing I’m sure they’ve learnt during their years of public duty is how to develop a thick skin.”
“So I think they’re quite right simply to carry on with their engagements, interact with the many people who are only too delighted to see them and try to blank out the sound of the protesters.”
It seems the Prince and Princess of Wales were the blueprint for carrying on with their royal duties despite the protesters on Commonwealth Day, as body language expert Judi James told the Mirror that William and Kate were the picture of confidence as they entered the Abbey.
Judi said: “Studiously ignoring the huge bank of banners and posters advertising anti-monarchy sentiments, William and Kate appeared to be showing non-verbal signals of peak confidence on their arrival with what looked like a bid to dampen down all the dramas that have plagued the royals at this event, both historically and currently.”
With Prince William and Princess Kate displaying poise and royal perfection at the annual event, Judi admitted the same could not be said for King Charles, who seemed “less assured” than his son as his “anxious” behaviours were on show as he dodged the furious calls of the protesters.
“Charles looked rather less assured than his son here,” Judi said. “Although his smile suggested he was delighted to attend, he performed four acts of auto-contact in the short walk from the gates to the abbey entrance, pushing his left hand deep into his jacket pocket and out again twice and straightening his tie before patting his pocket in what looked like self-comfort, self-soothing rituals prompted by inner anxiety.”
