THE royal family were met with anti-monarchy protesters as they arrived in the Scottish capital on Tuesday.
The King and Queen have arrived in Edinburgh for the start of "Royal Week", where they will carry out a series of engagements in the city.
Around 20 protesters from anti-monarchy campaign group Republic gathered outside the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the King's official residence in Scotland, on Tuesday morning in anticipation of the pair's arrival.
There were also several signs, with slogans such as "citizen not subject" and "BBC: keep your royal reporting fair, balanced and accurate".
A helicopter was spotted overhead shortly after 10am, as protesters held up their signs towards the aircraft as it made its landing.
NEW: Members of the royal family have arrived in Edinburgh ahead of Royal Week as anti-monarchy protesters gather pic.twitter.com/OGT58pMJna
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A short while after, a car arrived at the palace with a police escort, which was met by chanting from the protesters.
Those protesting the monarchy appeared to outnumber those who had shown out in support, the vast majority of whom were tourists lingering outside the entrance to the palace.
The monarch traditionally spends a week at the Palace of Holyroodhouse every year, in what is known as Holyrood Week or Royal Week in Scotland. The King and Queen are expected to be in the capital until Friday.
Francine, one of the organisers behind Tuesday's pro-Republic demonstration, said she turned up because she "believe[s] in democracy".
"The monarch comes up every year for a week, and I think it's really patronising," she told The National.
"They come up for a week to see their little Scottish subjects, to placate us, to keep us happy.
"To be honest, it's patronising and it's not necessary because Scotland doesn't actually really want the monarchy, most people in Scotland don't support it."
Polling from Savanta, which was commissioned by Republic earlier this year, showed support for the monarchy falling below 50% for the first time.
That poll found that in Scotland, 41% supported the monarchy, 41% believed there should be an elected head of state and 18% said they "don't know".
Meanwhile, Barry, another protester, told The National that the visit was "totally unwarranted".
"The more you understand, the more you learn about them, the more you want to get rid of them.
"You want to see them in put into the history books, that's where they deserve to be."
Another demonstrator, Neil, said: "It's undemocratic, it's anachronistic and we should abolish them now.
"I know it's divided but I think Scotland's more against them than England is. They're not welcome here, they should go back where they came from."
Maggie, who also took part in the demonstration, told The National: "We have to make a point about the royal family. I feel like they're all scroungers and leeching off the public purse.
"They shouldn't be here anymore, and the sooner they go the better."
