King Charles will be making his first speech as monarch at the State Opening of Parliament today (November 7), however he will also have to face the hundreds gathered to protest the monarchy.
Campaign group Republic, who protested the Coronation on May 6, resulting in the arrest of some of its members, will be demonstrating close to the Houses of Parliament in Westminster.
The Met Police have faced criticism for their heavy-handed approach to the Coronation protests, after six Republic members were detained for several hours despite their demonstration being pre-agreed.
Chief executive Graham Smith, who himself was held for over 14 hours, is now taking legal action against the Met following his ordeal, but explained he would be protesting the presence of the King and Queen in Parliament and the “ramshackle state of our constitution”.
He said: “Our Parliament is opened by a King wearing a crown while sitting in the Lords. It is just weird we continue with this pantomime that celebrates the worst, least democratic aspects of our political system.”
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Mr Smith added that Republic had seen an uptake in membership since the Coronation six months ago, saying: “Our continued programme of protests serves to remind people of the need for a democratic alternative to the monarchy.
“The monarchy is wrong in principle, corrupt and secretive in practice, and bad for British politics. It’s time it went and polling shows an increasing number of people agree.”
The group will start gathering near Parliament from 8:30am, with the King expected to arrive at around 11:20am.
Protestors on the day of the Coronation were arrested and held after the Public Order Act came into effect days earlier, making locking onto something or going equipped to lock on an offence.
Mr Smith said the protests had been discussed four months in advance with the Met, but was prevented from calling the group’s designated liaison officer in the day after he was detained.
The detainees were told on May 8 that no further action would be taken, however Mr Smith wants the Met to admit the arrests were unlawful and is seeking damages and costs.
A spokesman for the force has said: “We can confirm that a judicial review claim has been issued and it would be inappropriate to comment on ongoing proceedings.”
During the State Opening the King is expected to pay tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth in his speech, having stood in for her last year when she was too ill to attend in person.
Queen Camilla will also commemorate the iconic late monarch by wearing her diamond diadem for the first time.
