If Charles III. is crowned on Saturday, there is not only jubilation for the new king, but also protests. In Great Britain, too, popular support for the monarchy is dwindling.
Peter Tatchell is a human rights activist and opponent of the monarchy. He is already prepared for the coronation day on May 6th. There’s a poster on his table at home that reads: “Cuts? Delete the monarchy.” Tatchell speaks about the enormous wealth of the royal family and the fact that it is also funded by taxpayers’ money.
But that’s just one of many points of criticism: “What’s really outrageous is that there is a secret procedure called the ‘King’s Consent’ which gives the king and his heirs the right to pass legislation affecting their property and assets, see and veto.”
Protests used to be unthinkable
That’s a big problem because it means the royals are above the law, Tatchell said. Nevertheless, public protests would have been unthinkable in the days of Queen Elizabeth II.
But now a new era has begun. Eggs were already flying in York in November when King Charles III. held an official appointment. The egg thrower, a 23-year-old Briton, was later sentenced to 100 hours of community service.
Public support is declining
From the point of view of young people, the monarchy is the epitome of an unfair society, says historian Anna Whitelock of London City University. Whitelock sees the future of the monarchy hanging in the balance because the monarchs need the support of the population – and that is decreasing.
This is also shown by surveys, for example by the opinion research institute YouGov. In 2013, 75 percent of Britons were still in favor of the monarchy as a form of government, today it is only 58 percent. Support is even lower among young people between 18 and 24. In this age group, the value has halved within ten years: from 64 to 32 percent.
King Charles III does not have to inheritance taxes pay
Graham Smith therefore believes that the monarchy will be abolished in his lifetime. Smith is the head of the “Republic” campaign organization, and the name says it all. Smith wants to see an elected president at the helm of the state.
He doesn’t have much good to say about the royal family: “You don’t go too far when you say that the monarchy is corrupt. Because the royals constantly misuse public funds for personal expenses. They abuse their position to get exempted from many laws to become. And of course they dodge taxes.”
When Charles inherited the Queen’s fortune, inheritance taxes in the tens of millions would have been due, says Smith. But the king does not have to pay inheritance tax.
An easy move to the Republic?
Smith believes that moving to the Republic will be relatively easy once there is a majority in favor of it. Then a referendum could be held, and then parliament would only have to legally decide on the change to the republic.
However, it is not that far yet. At the coronation procession on Saturday, the opponents of the monarchy will once again stand on the side of the road, “Not My King!” chant and hold up signs.