Anti-monarchy activists took out banners at iconic locations around Britain on Sunday, including King Charles’ model town of Poundbury, Kensington Palace, Edinburgh's National Gallery and the Prince of Wales Bridge over the river Severn.

The banner drop is part of a series of actions organised by local campaigners in support of campaign group Republic, calling for an elected head of state. 

The action comes two weeks before ‘Republic Day’, which will feature a rally on Trafalgar Square on 5 May. Speakers will include Norman Baker, Peter Tatchell and Kelechi Okafor among others. 

Republic campaigners in Durdle Door, Dorset, on Sunday. Photo: Republic

The campaign group says Republic Day is the first event of its kind and marks the first anniversary of the coronation, and the controversial arrests of dozens of peaceful anti-monarchy protesters. 

Since the arrests – which sparked outrage among pro-democracy organisations – Republic says it has amassed thousands of new members, with an active network of campaigners around the country. 

Over 50 people were arrested during the King's Coronation, including Republic leader Graham Smith, and separate protesters from Just Stop Oil and Animal Rising. 

The arrests were dubbed "alarming" by human rights groups, with the Met Police later admitting “regret” over the controversy saw officers utilise new anti-protest laws, including against campaigners for being “equipped to lock on” to each other or objects. In Republic’s case, this involved activists being arrested for possessing luggage straps used to make placards. 

Most of the arrests were for conspiracy to cause a public nuisance. Byline Times understands there were no convictions following any of the arrests. 

Since then, the group has been even more vocal amid a swathe of scandals involving the monarchy. Last month, the organisation condemned Prince Andrew's attendance at the royal Easter service as a “disgrace.” Prince Andrew remains accused of sexual offences in the UK and abroad (which he has repeatedly denied), linked to his friendship with the deceased paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. 

A poll in January showed a large majority, 73%, wanted Prince Andrew to be investigated by the Met police over the allegations. In February 2022, the Duke settled a civil sexual assault case brought against him in the US by Virginia Giuffre for a reported £12 million. Giuffre was trafficked by Epstein. 

Republic’s May 5 day of action aims to “bring out thousands of Brits who want to see the monarchy abolished.” Attendees are being asked to pledge that they’ll be there. 

The group's leader, Smith, said: "With some polls putting support for the monarchy below 50%, it's time to showcase the democratic alternative to this outdated institution – an elected head of state.

"That's why local campaigners took action…unveiling anti-monarchy banners across the UK, from Edinburgh to London, Cardiff and down to Durdle Door on the Dorset coast."

Smith said there had never been "such a strong anti-monarchy campaign in modern times in the UK. We're going from strength to strength. Today's action and the May 5 Republic Day are testament to that." 

He said the monarchy has "no place in a modern democracy" and with "confidence" in the UK's institutions falling "it's time to reimagine Britain as a republic – and that's what Republic Day is all about."

A spokesperson for the Republic Day of action said it would “defy those who tell us we're a nation of royalists.” 

“The monarchy presents a huge obstacle to tackling a host of other important issues, and more can be done to come together and work with others to change the country for good,” they added. 

In January, a YouGov poll showed that just 45% of Brits prefer the monarchy over an elected head of state, which is supported by 31%. In the same week, a Savanta poll put support for the monarchy at 48%.