The Metropolitan Police have imposed restrictions on anti-monarchy protests ahead of Trooping the Colour this weekend, causing a furious reaction from campaign group Republic.
The group say they have been told to stay away from the fence line by the force, who are said to have threatened to enforce Royal Parks regulations to stop protests outside the palace.
Trooping the Colour is an annual military ceremony, celebrating the reigning monarch's official birthday.
The occasion is expected to feature over 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians from the Household Division.
Ahead of the event, the Met Police confirmed: "To ensure tomorrow’s Trooping the Colour passes off without serious disruption and with minimal disturbance to horses at the event, we have imposed conditions on those taking part in the Republic protest."
In a press release, Republic say they have "a strong track record of peaceful and lawful protest" and slammed the Met Police for imposing "draconian restrictions" on their upcoming demonstration.
"Commander Claire Smart has claimed there is a risk to property and personal safety to justify her draconian restriction," the group said.
"This is despite Republic peacefully protesting at Trooping the Colour before without incident."
Graham Smith, CEO of Republic, said: "Claire Smart should be ashamed of herself. This is a clear abuse of power aimed at keeping legitimate opposition away from the royals.
The Metropolitan Police have imposed restrictions on anti-monarchy protests ahead of Trooping the Colour this weekend, causing a furious reaction from campaign group Republic
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You can watch comprehensive coverage of Trooping the Colours event live on GB News from 10am | GB NEWS"The royals are embroiled in scandal and accusations of corruption. The Met Police are implicated in questions about who knew what and when about Andrew [Mountbatten-Windsor].
"Yet still the police step in to protect the royals.
"We took the initiative in telling the police about our plans, to allay any concerns they may have. They responded by forcing us to protest back away from the fence line and away from the subject of our protest.
"The protest will go ahead. We will be taking legal advice about how to proceed so we can stop the police from arbitrarily blocking legitimate protest."
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Republic has consistently demonstrated against the Royal Family. The group staged a protest on Trooping the Colour last year, where they gathered on The Mall from 6am to make their voices heard during the celebrations
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Republic has consistently demonstrated against the Royal Family. The group staged a protest on Trooping the Colour last year, where they gathered on The Mall from 6am to make their voices heard during the celebrations.
This year's demonstrations, which are described as "good-natured and a lot of fun," are expected to congregate on The Mall from 8.30am.
Republic claim the royals "hijack" Trooping the Colour to "remain relevant," with the iconic balcony shots putting "privilege and birth above merit and democracy".
The King and Queen were met with protests last month, when they travelled by horse and carriage to Westminster for the State Opening of Parliament.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla were met with protests on their journey from Buckingham Palace to Westminster for the State Opening of Parliament earlier this month | GETTYThe ceremony saw a partly hostile environment for King Charles and his wife, who faced anti-monarchy demonstrations in the streets, with placards being held, asking "Did you know?"
The demonstration, also coordinated by pressure group Republic, questioned King Charles's knowledge of his brother, Mr Mountbatten-Windsor's, relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Andrew was arrested on February 19 - his 66th birthday - on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing in regard to Epstein.
You can watch comprehensive coverage of Trooping the Colours event live on GB News from 10am.
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