Coronation 2023: the protests set to take place during King Charles' procession in London

While for many the crowning of a new king or queen is usually a time to celebrate, it also provides some with a high-profile event to raise awareness for a number of causes by the form of a protest. With King Charles III’s coronation a little under a week away, as much as there will be people celebrating a new monarch, equally there are going to be those protesting the crowning of a new king.

One of those groups set to protest during the Coronation is Republic, a group that believes that the monarchy should now be abolished now the opportunity has arisen after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.  They believe that instead of a King, there should be “someone chosen by the people, not running the government but representing the nation independently of our politicians” in the form of an elected head of state.

“Hereditary public office goes against every democratic principle,” they explain on their website, “and because we can’t hold the King and his family to account at the ballot box, there’s nothing to stop them abusing their privilege, misusing their influence or simply wasting our money.”

“Meanwhile, the monarchy gives vast arbitrary power to the government, shutting voters out from major decisions affecting the national interest.  The King can only ever act in the interests of the government of the day and does not represent ordinary voters. The monarchy is a broken institution. A head of state that’s chosen by us could really represent our hopes and aspirations – and help us keep politicians in check.”

They hope that by 1pm they will have amassed such a large crowd at Trafalgar Square, near Charles I statue at the top end of Whitehall, that by the time King Charles's parade comes up the Mall, through Trafalgar Square and down to Westminster Abbey they will have over 1,000 people protesting their cause.

But two other regular protest groups have been rather muted in the run up to the King’s Coronation, and those who have children know all too well that when it gets a little too quiet, there might be cause for concern. Though they have not publicly stated that they are going to launch a protest, soon after “The Big One” last weekend, such an opportunity to disrupt an event the world is set to watch (despite YouGov polls) would certainly be one that fits the modus operandi of both groups.

After all, Extinction Rebellion has made a habit raising their concerns over climate change by glueing themselves to roads and public areas to demonstrate to protest a perceived lack of action while the world gets warmer, while Just Stop Oil have been as outrageous as to vandalise works of art and even a snooker championship in their efforts to raise concerns about fossil fuels. 

While there is a vocal majority of Brits who feel that protesting during such a historic occasion seems “on the nose,” arguments for these protests will retort that the magnitude of the event means it is ideal for raising awareness for their cause. Queen Camilla’s son, Tom Parker Bowles, has even publicly stated that it is their right to protest as Brits “live in a free country" where "we are all allowed to have different views.”

But will the shouts of “Not My King” be drowned out by boos from the adulating Royalists from around the world set to attend the May 6 event, or will the mob mentality take over and the admittedly catchy protest chat spreads like wildfire? That filing cabinet at PeopleWorld is open once again as this becomes one of those “time will tell” situations, but at least we don’t have a length of time to wait.