I had the opportunity to attend King Charles’ coronation celebrations in Edinburgh, and it proved to be an event filled with protestors, highlighting the lack of enthusiasm for the British monarch in Scotland compared to London. The event took place on July 5, and Charles received the Honours of Scotland, the Scottish crown jewels, during a ceremony at St Giles’ Cathedral.
When I arrived outside the cathedral, I was met with a crowd of protestors from Republic, a group advocating for the abolition of the British monarchy in favor of an elected head of state. Unlike in England, where protesters are often met with hostility or arrests, the protestors in Scotland were treated with respect. Graham Smith, CEO of Republic, led the demonstration, chanting “Not my king!” through a megaphone. Reporters and camera crews were fascinated by the protest, which seemed to garner more attention than the actual event.
Speaking with Smith, he mentioned the difference in attitude towards anti-monarchy protests in Scotland compared to the rest of the UK. He was previously arrested in London during Charles’ coronation in May, along with 64 other protestors, though later released without charges. In contrast, Smith expressed satisfaction with the Scottish police, stating that they allowed the protest to proceed without interference.
As a native of Scotland, I wasn’t surprised by the indifference towards the monarchy. Scotland has historically shown less support for the monarchy compared to England. In a recent poll, only 37% of adults in Scotland expressed support for the monarchy, whereas 54% of adults in England supported it. Additionally, there was an independence rally in Glasgow on the same day as Charles’ coronation, attended by approximately 20,000 people.
When Charles arrived at the event, there were both supporters and detractors present. Some royalists held signs proclaiming “Charles King of Scots,” attributing their support to their Protestant upbringing and Charles’ role as defender of the faith. However, there were also many individuals in the crowd who seemed disinterested or annoyed by the event. Some even expressed frustration with the tight security measures and barriers that prevented them from reaching their destinations.
It’s important to remember that not everyone in the UK shares the same enthusiasm for the royal family, despite the large crowds often seen in London. The royal family has a deep affection for Scotland, evident in their annual summer vacations at Balmoral Castle. However, this love is not reciprocated by many Scots. The sentiment towards the monarchy in Scotland remains divided.
Buckingham Palace did not provide a comment in response to Insider’s request.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
