ANTI-monarchy activists who protested at the Trooping the Colour ceremony appeared to touch a nerve as Princess Kate stared down activists.
As the royal family made their way to Buckingham Palace for the ceremony which marks the monarch's official birthday on Saturday, protesters from pressure group Republic staged a demonstration.
As the royal procession passed them in carriages and on horseback, activists carried signs that read “Down with the Crown," "Not my King" and photos of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
As Princess Kate and her children George, Charlotte and Louis passed the protesters in a carriage, she was pictured looking unimpressed as she gave them an icy glare while they booed her.
It is unusual to see members of the family react to protesters who have been increasingly prevalent at royal visits since significant revelations emerged about the former prince Andrew's relationship with the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Her staring down of the protesters was picked up on by the press and Republic responded to this by tweeting: "World's smallest violin etc."
The anti-monarchy group protest Trooping the Colour every year but this appears to be the first time a clear reaction from a royal has been spotted.
Jeremy Vine and Daytime at 5 invited a discussion on the matter on Monday posting: "Is it OK to boo at Royal events?
"The Princess of Wales and her three children were among those targeted by protestors at the Trooping the Colour ceremony on Saturday.
"Is that fair game? Or is it disrespectful with kids there?"
Republic said it was "still waiting for all the 'free speech warriors' to defend our right to protest".
Ahead of the demonstration, Republic slammed the Met Police for applying "draconian restrictions" on an anti-monarchy protest.
The Met reportedly forced activists to stay away from the fence line and threatened to enforce Royal Parks regulations to stop protests outside Buckingham Palace.
The Met said the use of Public Order Act conditions to prevent serious disruption and/or serious disorder is "not unusual".
