16 February 2023 , 15:22
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King Charles came face-to-face with anti-monarchy protestors who held up signs saying "Not My King" as he chatted to well-wishers today.
Around 20 protestors from the anti-monarchy group Republic held up huge signs with the message emblazoned across them as the monarch arrived in Milton Keynes.
The King was there to celebrate its new city status after it was awarded the accolade as part of the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations last year.
He attended a reception for members of the local community and organisations at the Church of Christ the Cornerstone before visiting Milton Keynes Food Bank.
Protestors in the crowd to greet King Charles as he arrives in Milton Keynes (Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Charles ignored the protestors and shook hands chatted to well-wishers (Zak Hussein / SplashNews.com)But as he arrived at the church where the protestors had gathered with tight security, he chose to ignore those holding the signs and instead greeted well-wishers - some of whom turned up with flowers for the monarch.
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Many of them cheered as he pulled up in his car and stopped to say hello while some even shouted "God Save The King".
He had been due to make the visit to Milton Keynes with wife Queen Camilla but she had to pull out of the engagement after testing positive for Covid earlier this week.
It comes as the pressure group Republic previously said it had been planning a controversial campaign of anti-monarchy protests to coincide with the Coronation.
Charles greets people in Milton Keynes this afternoon (Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock)Earlier it tweeted: "We're off to Milton Keynes today, to ask the King some questions."
Last month it tried to turn Buckingham Palace into a polling station – the first in a series of protests against the King's Coronation.
The group, which campaigns for an elected head of state, is vowing to stage further stunts in the run-up to May 6, as well holding a large demonstration on the day. The group also branded the Coronation a waste of taxpayers’ money on its petition page.
Charles is shown into the venue for a reception with community leaders (PA)
Charles had bee due to visit Milton Keynes with Camilla - but she has tested positive for Covid (Zak Hussein / SplashNews.com)Meanwhile, last week, a lone protestor was also bundled away by police after disturbing a walkabout by the Prince and Princess of Wales.
While the royal couple shook hands with those gathered outside the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, a man could be seen holding up a blank sheet of paper - and was pulled from the crowd by police and led away.
He was kept away from the royal couple until they left but wasn't arrested and later told reporters at the scene: "It's the 21st century and we don't need a monarchy anymore."
Protestors awaiting the arrival of King Charles in Milton Keynes today (PA)
The protestors held up signs that said 'not my king' (PA)There has been a string of other incidents lately, including eggs being hurled at Charles.
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In December, royal security chiefs ordered a review of the King’s safety amid fears his Christmas walkabout may be hit by protests - although thankfully the day passed off without incident.
A source with knowledge of the discussions previously said police chiefs are "concerned" at the possibility of further disturbances.