Republic campaigners say they will protest at royal events despite cancer diagnosis for Kate and King

By: The Telegraph

Anti-monarchy group says it is against the institution not individuals

Anti-monarchy protesters from Republic gather outside Westminster Abbey as members of the Royal family arrived to commemorate Commonwealth Day earlier this month CREDIT: ZUMA Press Inc / Alamy Stock Photo/alamy

Anti-monarchy campaign group, Republic, has vowed to continue to protest at royal engagements despite both the King and the Princess of Wales being treated for cancer.

Activists have vowed to protest at Worcester Cathedral on Thursday, when the Queen will represent the King at the traditional Royal Maundy service.

On Friday, Republic acknowledged the Princess’s video statement, in which she revealed she was undergoing cancer treatment, and wished her a speedy recovery.

But spokesman Graham Smith said: “Unlike royalists, we don’t conflate the family with the institution. It’s the institution we’re protesting against this week.

“This is a campaign about principles, politics and reform. We criticise the royals in their capacity as public officials on the public payroll – those criticisms are serious and many. Yet the monarchy is not about the individuals and their private lives.”

The Princess of Wales announces to the nation that following her abdominal surgery in January 'tests found cancer had been present' CREDIT: bbc studios /pa

He added: “Republic’s campaign continues unabated and the protests will continue for as long as the monarchy is there.

“When Camilla visits Worcester on Thursday it will be a reminder too of how out of touch the monarchy is with the values of most of us. Values such as equality, democracy and the rule of law.”

The King appears to maintain a healthy sense of humour about anti-monarchy protests.

After he was pelted with eggs in York in November 2022, he asked an aide at a subsequent engagement if they had “conducted an egg hunt” amongst the crowd, before joking that the worst thing about the incident was that no one could tell him if it was a barn egg or free range.

Student Patrick Thelwell was later found guilty of threatening behaviour and sentenced to a 12-month community order with 100 hours of unpaid work.

His actions were not condoned by Republic, which campaigns peacefully with placards.

The Maundy service will mark one of the most significant royal events from which the King, 75, will be absent.

The Queen will present ceremonial coins to 75 men and 75 women in recognition of their community service — the number of recipients is equivalent to the monarch’s age.

Her involvement will mark the first time that a consort has stood in to perform the duty on behalf of the monarch.

Both the King and Queen will attend an Easter Matins service on Sunday at St George’s Chapel within Windsor Castle.

Source: The Telegraph