During his first official royal engagement at Lancaster Castle since becoming King, anti-monarchy protesters waited for King Charles as he arrived for the visit
King Charles has faced protestors during a royal engagement in Lancashire, as a group of anti-monarchists shouted “not my king” as he took part in a historic event. As his first official visit to Lancaster as the monarch, Charles arrived at Lancaster Castle today where he met with D-Day veterans and took part in an ancient ceremonial tradition.
The protestors were awaiting his arrival, as chants of “not my king”, “abolish the monarchy” and “ditch the Duchys” rang through the streets as the King’s motorcade arrived at the castle. The anti-monarchy protestors called for the Duchy income to be spent on local businesses and charities, as they made their intentions clear with placards and chants.
However, it did not derail the King, who met with a 101-year-old D-Day veteran named Richard Brock, who he remembered from a visit to Normandy last year.
During the reception at Lancaster Castle, Charles told Mr Brock: “You are fantastic.” Mr Brock’s son Tony Brock, who attended with him, said the King “mentioned a nip of whisky and said to keep taking it.”
The King, who is also the Duke of Lancaster, was greeted at the railway station from the royal train by the Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire, Amanda Parker.
As part of an ancient ceremonial tradition, Charles was also handed the keys to the castle in front of the John O’Gaunt gateway. The reigning monarch has taken part in the Ceremony of the Keys with each visit to the castle since 1851, when the keys were first presented to Queen Victoria, with Queen Elizabeth also receiving the honour in 2015.
Students from the nearby Willow Lane Primary School were selected to attend the ceremony and meet the King, with some students offering him a bouquet of flowers.
Schoolchildren from local secondary schools including Ripley St Thomas and Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School also lined the route outside the castle accompanied by a performance from a military band.
After the ceremony at the castle, which was used as a prison until 2011, King Charles met with local business owners who were showcasing their work.
One such business owner was Gillian Hale, from Butlers’ Farmhouse Cheeses, who was told by the King that he loves to indulge in sheep’s cheese on a digestive biscuit.
Charles smelt some of the cheeses she had on display but did not taste any, as Ms Hale said: “We’re going to send some to him later in a goody bag. He was so gracious.”
The King was also given a neck tie and some gloves for the Queen from Northern Yarn, with business owner Kate Makin saying: “He was really interested in the regenerative farming and the local wools we use.”
Outside the castle, the King met eager royal fans who had been waiting to catch a glimpse of the monarch. Among those keen to see the King were friends Joan Hardcastle, 103, and Barbara Graham, 93, who had come with staff and two other residents from Laurel Bank Care Home.
Mrs Hardcastle held a framed photograph of Charles presenting her with her MBE for voluntary services 40 years ago, as she said: “I’ve seen him several times since. He was fine when I met him, very chatty.”
Care home manager Lyndsay Scott said: “It was Barbara’s idea to come. We got here at 9am, we’ve had flasks of tea and croissants.” After shaking the King’s hand as he left the castle, Mrs Hardcastle said he had not changed.
Before the King left, he unveiled a plaque commemorating his visit, made by sculptor Alan Ward, who has a studio and workshop inside the castle.
Source: Mirror
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