LONDON (AFP) – Despite his surname, Ryan King will not be among those waving Union Jack flags at the coronation of King Charles III next week.
Instead, he plans to protest on the historic royal occasion, dressed in a yellow T-shirt with the slogan: “Abolish the monarchy.”
“The monarchy has no place in modern society given how outdated and undemocratic it is,” King, 40, told AFP.
He aims to join other protesters rallied by the group Republic, which wants the monarch replaced by an elected head of state.
Republicans voices have been getting louder since the death of Queen Elizabeth II last year.
Charles, who inherited the crown automatically, has been trailed by protesters holding up signs proclaiming: “Not my king!”
Republic’s chief executive Graham Smith sees the spectacle of dazzling jewels and golden carriages as a chance to make their case, particularly as Britons struggle with the rising cost of living.
That makes it “more fertile ground” for recruitment. “People are far more willing to listen and engage,” he added.
Times have also changed since Britons gave deference to those deemed their social superiors.
“People are far more critical generally of our political system, which comes into this whole debate not just about the royals but about the constitution and the government and parliament,” Smith said.
“And they are far less interested in the royals.”
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams agreed that for the first time, the republican movement was “showing its teeth”.
But he said it still failed to have major political support.
To get its point across, Republic has become more active than ever on social media, to try to mobilize its 130,000-strong base and expand its numbers.
It sends out regular emails about upcoming protests, including last week for a visit by the king and queen to Liverpool, in northwest England.
“Not my king” placards have as a result become more visible. Such protests were virtually unthinkable during Elizabeth’s reign.
Republicans concentrate on levels of support among younger people.
The YouGov poll indicated that 32 percent of those aged 18-24 supported the monarchy, against 38 percent who wanted an elected head of state.
“Polling that shows attitudes towards the monarchy are changing as the younger generation comes to the fore and quite rightly asks themselves, what’s the point of the monarchy?” said King.