King Charles Faces Growing Pressure Ahead Of Major Royal Engagement In Wales
For King Charles, the ceremony holds particular significance as it marks his first Senedd opening as monarch, having attended previous ceremonies before ascending the throne.
King Charles and Queen Camilla will be in Wales tomorrow to honor a historic tradition. Their Majesties will open the Senedd and attend cultural programs celebrating their visit. However, political unrest has put their trip in a challenging position. Real Democracy Now has announced a protest at the Welsh Parliament in Cardiff Bay starting at 11 am.
Republican campaigners are urging Senedd Members to stage a walkout during Charles' address at the ceremonial opening of the Seventh Senedd. The activists plan to use the occasion to renew calls for the abolition of the monarchy, arguing that it is incompatible with democratic governance. They have also called on elected representatives to publicly condemn the Welsh Government’s decision to invite the King to the ceremony. GB News reported. Adam Johannes, a prominent member of Real Democracy Now, is reportedly spearheading the campaign. "An unelected king opening an elected Senedd. What an insult. You couldn't make it up, could you?" he said.
He also questioned the democratic nature of a system where elected representatives defer to individuals with inherited wealth and lineage, asking, "What on earth is democratic about that?" He added. "The monarchy is nothing more than a brand symbol for inequality. It encourages us to accept as normal the idea that people can exercise power without being elected or held to account."
He further criticized left-leaning politicians in the Senedd for failing to oppose the King's visit, calling their attempts to appease the Crown "pathetic." Meanwhile, Ann Davies, a member of Real Democracy Now, said she would join a demonstration during her lunch break, highlighting her dual role as a trade unionist and a worker affected by the cost-of-living crisis.
Davies pointed out the significant gap between the King's wealth and the challenges faced by impoverished Welsh families, criticizing him for failing to redistribute his fortune to assist them. The republicans raised concerns about the absence of democratic accountability among major institutions like banks and government. Meanwhile, public sentiment in Wales shows that 55-60% support the monarchy, while 20-25% prefer an elected head of state.
The event is significant as it marks the first opening of the Senedd since its expansion to 96 members, representing a key moment in the development of Welsh democratic institutions. For Charles, who has attended all official Senedd openings but not as Head of State, it is of great importance as the reigning monarch. His late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, fulfilled this role at every post-election session, from the establishment of the National Assembly for Wales in 1999 until her death in 2022.
