In Edinburgh this morning, cries of “God Save the King” were greeted with jeers, but the jeers were quickly drowned out by joyous applause as Charles was crowned king.
People had come in the capital city to hear the Lord Lyon King of Arms, who is in charge of directing Scotland’s official ceremonies, make the Queen’s succession official.
In towns and cities around the UK and the Commonwealth, similar announcements of the new king were made at the same time.
But among the hundreds of royal enthusiasts who had gathered to see the event in Edinburgh, a tiny minority used the occasion to express their opposition to the new king or queen.
The major pronouncement was delivered in silence, however there were audible booing as Lord Lyon King of Arms Joseph Morrow concluded by proclaiming, “God Save the King.”
Soon, cries of “God Save the King” drowned them out, and then the national song was played on trumpets.
The Lord led three shouts of “hip, hip hooray” following the song, drawing another loud boo from the audience and a response of “Oh shut up” from someone else.
I was really shocked by some of the crowd’s behaviour, a witness told Edinburgh Live.
“It was supposed to be a happy event to celebrate the new King, yet there were small-minded individuals booing.”
“It simply seemed like attention-seeking.”
Additionally, Republican demands could be heard, and a few people carried anti-monarchy placards.
One demonstrator against the monarchy who was carrying a placard that said, “F*** imperialism, overthrow the monarchy,” was detained.
The audience cheered as the police removed her, with one person yelling for the Republican to “have some respect” as they did so.
A 22-year-old woman was detained on Sunday, September 11, 2022, outside St. Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh in connection with a breach of the peace, according to a Police Scotland spokeswoman.
The police were afterwards accused of using “heavy-handed” tactics by the Scottish Community & Activist Legal Project.