Anti-monarchists plan protest on day of King Charles’ coronation held amid inflation

Campaign group Republic, which is a British republican group advocating the replacement of the United Kingdom's monarchy with a parliamentary republic, made the announcement on Sunday.

The group said it had notified London's police about its plans for a peaceful demonstration at Parliament Square, which is overlooked by Westminster Abbey where Charles III is to be crowned in May.

"The coronation is a celebration of hereditary power and privilege, it has no place in a modern society," said Republic's Chief Executive Graham Smith.
His comment came a day after Buckingham Palace said the coronation would consist of processions, a concert at Windsor Castle, street parties, light shows, and community volunteering throughout May 6-8.

The 74-year-old monarch acceded to the throne in September after his mother Queen Elizabeth died.

"Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort hope the Coronation Weekend will provide an opportunity to spend time and celebrate with friends, families, and communities across the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth," Buckingham Palace said in a statement.

Charles is also considered head of state of 14 other realms, including Australia, Canada, Jamaica, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea.

Smith blasted the event's astronomical price tag, saying, "At a cost of tens of millions of pounds, this pointless piece of theater is a slap in the face for millions of people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis."

Late last year, figures showed the UK's year-on-year inflation rate stood at 10.7 percent, the highest in four decades.

The inflationary spiral is growing at a much faster pace than the average pay rise across the country.

Food prices have skyrocketed almost 20 percent. Rising energy prices, along with soaring energy costs, have also largely contributed to the UK's cost-of-living crisis.

Many labor unions have launched industrial actions to press the government to enact salary hikes. The government, however, refuses to increase salaries, saying it would increase the inflation.

The government blames the economic doldrums partly on the COVID-19 pandemic, saying the country has been having a hard time bouncing back from the stagnation that used to govern the period.

Experts, however, blame leadership incompetence and turbulence that saw the country change several prime ministers over the past two years.