The Guardian has sparked outrage after stating the monarchy looks “vulnerable” in the wake of republican groups growing in popularity.
The newspaper cited the rise of anti-monarchist group Republic, who have led protesters across the UK, chanting “Not My King” and wielding yellow placards.
Graham Smith, the chief executive of the group, told The Guardian of their rapid growth: “We’ve now got 140,000 registered supporters – up from 30,000 – and 10,000 members”.
He said that membership has doubled since the Coronation in May of this year.
WATCH NOW: Graham Smith CEO of Republic on King’s Speech protests
“In 2020, our income was £106,000. It was £172,000 the next year; last year it was £286,000,” Smith said.
“On the death of the Queen, we had £70,000 in donations that month. This year, income is hitting £560,000.”
However, royal author Richard Fitzwilliams has hit back at the paper for highlighting the rise of the group, which he deems as simply a “small increase”.
Speaking to GB News, Fitzwilliams said: “The Guardian has had a republican agenda for many years. It is unsurprising that they welcome what has in fact been a small increase in support for a republic, mainly among the 18-24 age group from under 20 per cent in 2019 to roughly a quarter now.
“However, it remains a small minority and none of the major political parties supports it.”
The newspaper stated that most of the people it interviewed has joined the protest group within the last two years, many pinpointing the death of the Queen as a turning point in attitudes towards the Royals.
ROYAL LATEST:
“While the Queen was alive, it was much harder to convince people that getting rid of her was a good idea,” one protester, Brian Wollneough said.
Smith, who has run Republic for 20 years, said: “Most people in this country believe in democracy, equality, accountability and so on. The royal family stands firmly against those values.”
“The monarchy no longer looks solid – it looks vulnerable. The spell has been broken,” he claimed.
Zoe Williams, author of The Guardian, bashed the King for his “anti-green” measures surrounding oil and gas policies, which he recently read out ahead of the Cop-28 summit, which she claimed went against his beliefs as an environmentalist.
She also mentioned arrests of Republic group members by officers, for allegedly asking questions such as “Who elected him?”, at a proclamation for the King.
She claimed that these arrests seemed “unBritish” and his time as head of state has made the public question the presence of the monarchy further.
Fitzwilliams dismissed notions that the monarchy was declining in popularity, and thought that the idea of Britain becoming a republic was something that would not have “wide appeal”.
King Charles delivered the first King’s Speech of his reign earlier this month
PA
He told GB News: “The monarch’s powers, as head of the armed forces, judiciary, civil service and Church of England are significant not as the power the monarch holds but as powers which are denied to others.
“A republic would mean that a head of state, who currently is above party politics, would almost certainly be replaced by a politician, possibly an ex-prime minister. This is not an alternative which is ever likely to have wide appeal.”
Many social media users were in support of the rise of the republican group.
Arguing against the need for a monarchy, one said: “It’s evident that the Firm is becoming increasingly unpopular also with monarchists and people from across the Commonwealth. The new King and his consort are not loved while the heir and his wife are dull and lazy. It won’t happen overnight but their days are numbered.”
Another commented: “It’s about time we were a republic to be honest. The monarchy is outdated now”, whilst a third chimed in “If people actually thought logically, objectively and critically about the monarchy as an institution and its unwarranted and protected wealth – then there would be no monarchy.”
However, some voiced their support for Charles and keeping the monarchy in place.
A user said: “The world is jealous of our British Monarchy, they are an asset to our country….I think they’re safe.”
A second person said: “NO CHANCE whatsoever at downing the Monarchy! The sheer number of people who showed their respect to the Queen on her passing – should indicate the true British feelings for our Monarchy.”
