Britain's King Charles has been crowned following protestors’ claims that several anti-monarchists have been arrested.
King Charles was crowned king of the United Kingdom in Westminster Abbey.
The congregation cried "God save the King" as gun salutes were fired across Britain and Northern Ireland to mark the moment.
Guests at the coronation included President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla “are long-standing friends of Ireland”.
Newstalk reporter Henry McKean told The Anton Savage Show that thousands of people lined the streets to watch the coronation procession. Some people have been camping out for nearly a week to get a good viewing point for the celebrations.
One woman told Henry she was “tired” after camping for a week as it “was quite cold at night”.
“But those are just little sacrifices I'm willing to go through just so I can see all the pomp and ceremony,” she said.
Another woman said this coronation was “probably the only time in [her] lifetime that [she’s] going to see this, so it’s just amazing to be part of it”.
Arrests
Several anti-monarchist groups protested the coronation and have claimed several protestors were arrested.
Anti-monarchy group Republic member Luke Whiting told Newstalk six members had been arrested, including its leader, Graham Smith.
“We’re expecting about 1,700 to 2,000 people and the demonstration,” he said. “Hopefully they won’t be put off by these arrests.”
“We’re not going to disrupt the coronation process - We just want to be here; we want to be visible.”
“Not my King.” Protestors are penned in by police at Trafalgar Square. @NewstalkFM @antonsavage #AbolishMonarchy #Coronation pic.twitter.com/6q3dc5dosa
— Henry McKean (@HenryMcKean) May 6, 2023
Mr Whiting claimed that Republic members were holding placards that read ‘Not my King’ when “20 police said, ‘we’re stopping you and we are searching you’”.
Republic have claimed that police would not say why protestors have been arrested.
Videos show police officers warning other protestors they will be arrested if the situation “escalates” and protestors become a “public nuisance”.
Climate activists Just Stop Oil have claimed at least 20 members “quietly” holdings signs have been arrested. Disputes claim the protestors had planned to jump over the barrier on the Mall near Buckingham Palace.
Animal rights group Animal Rising have also claimed a number of their supporters were arrested this morning at a “nonviolence training”. The group confirmed previously they did not plan on protesting the coronation.
This is Kush. He is 33-year-old doctor.
Today he was planning to quietly hold a sign saying JUST STOP OIL, whilst in the crowd for the Coronation. He was arrested along with 20 others.
Free speech is a core British value – and we have just lost it. pic.twitter.com/epCwVlTiM7
— Just Stop Oil (@JustStop_Oil) May 6, 2023
Protestors Kyle and Jean told Henry they intended on “protesting peacefully in accordance with the law”.
“[The monarchy] quite simply incompatible with democracy,” Kyle said. "It doesn’t send a good message to what an equal and fair society should be.”
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Main image: Split screen of King Charles at the coronation and anti-monarchist protestors wearing t-shirts that say 'Not My King'. Images via Henry McKean
