A man challenged King Charles III about the cost of living crisis during his visit to Cardiff on Friday. The heckler stood in the crowd as the new monarch greeted the public in Llandaff and asked him why the public was “paying for his parade” while they “struggle to heat their homes”.
The protester was captured on a widely shared video saying: “While we struggle to heat our homes, we have to pay for your parade.” The outburst caught the King's attention before he appeared to say "oh" and turned away.
Following the interaction, he continued to swiftly move down the line and shake hands with others. The man was blocked by a bodyguard while he shouted: "We pay £100 million a year for you, and for what?”
Read more: Children grow up in poverty in the shadow of Wales' greatest wealth
As the footage emerged, CNN described Wales as the most “hostile” country on the King's UK tour – more so even than Northern Ireland and Scotland. When he arrived at Cardiff Castle for an audience with the First Minister and Llywydd of the Senedd booing could be heard - although the protesters were outnumbered by supporters who tried to drown out the boos with cheers.
A small protest gathered outside the castle and held posters with phrases such as “Abolish the Monarchy”, “Citizen not subject” and “Democracy now”. Although the demonstration was intended to be silent, a number of groups broke into song led by members of socialist choir Cor Cochion.
Some campaigner's also held giant Owain Glyndwr flags because the visit fell on Owain Glyndwr day. He is considered to be the last native Prince of Wales. They said they wanted people in Wales to consider a different future without the monarchy. A petition against continuing with the Prince of Wales title has now reached more than 30,000 signatures in less than a week.
Ahead of the King's visit to Wales the First Minister Mark Drakeford had said anti-monarchists had a right to protest as long as it was restrained. Speaking to Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway on Good Morning Britain on Friday morning, he said there is a "legitimate" debate to be had around the Prince of Wales title.
READ NEXT:
-
Former Tory minister confirms party deliberately misled people of Wales over EU funding
- Nine things you need to consider when deciding whether to support an independent Wales
-
The vast wealth Charles inherits now he is king and why he doesn't pay inheritance tax
-
BBC received hundreds of complaints about 'excessive' coverage of Queen's death
-
Support for King Charles after he swears at leaky pen and writes wrong date
