GB News hosts pressured to halt present as King Charles met by ‘brazen’ cathedral stunt
GB News hosts halted their broadcast for King Charles’ historic Wales arrival, which was overshadowed by graffiti daubed on a wall and a protest
King Charles arriving for the Royal Maundy Service at St Asaph Cathedral(Image: UK Press via Getty)
GB News presenters Andrew Pierce and Miriam Cates interrupted their programme today for a major royal update, as King Charles arrived for a historic ceremony overshadowed by protests and graffiti. The King and Queen Camilla touched down in north Wales for the Maundy Thursday Easter service at St Asaph Cathedral in Denbighshire on Thursday.
However, the 800-year-old tradition was met with tension as “Not My King” slogans were found sprayed on the cathedral walls.
While the vandalism was hastily cleaned up and disowned by the official Republic group, protesters still gathered as the royal car was diverted to a side entrance.
Inside the cathedral, the atmosphere was more solemn for the ceremony featuring music by Welsh composers and musicians.
The service marks only the second occasion the event has been held in Wales in eight centuries. In a live announcement, the hosts discussed whether the King had arrived in a Rolls Royce or a Daimler, reports the Express.
Speaking to royal correspondent Cameron Walker, he said: “You can see there the King and Queen just waving to the crowds outside of the cathedral towards the start of the royal Maundy service.
“Inside the cathedral the King will be distributing Maundy money to 77 men and 77 women, who have done good Christian deeds for their communities. 77 is the number of years King Charles has been on earth.”
He added: “After the service, the King is expected to do a walkabout with members of the public. They have been gathering here for a couple of hours.
“There is a bit of a protest going on, which you can expect with these kind of royal engagements. There was also a bit of graffiti sprayed on the outside wall of the cathedral this morning saying, ‘Not My King.’
“The official Republic group have denied responsibility for that and it has been hastily cleaned up. The royal car was driven through a different entrance so the King did not see that graffiti has he enters St Asaph’s Cathedral.”
The earliest documented Royal Maundy ceremony took place in 1210 under King John and marks the Final Supper of Jesus Christ, with the giving of charitable donations becoming established tradition.
Charles will bestow presents upon 77 men and 77 women from Wales and additional dioceses throughout the UK in acknowledgement of exceptional Christian devotion and for assisting people within their localities.
Those selected will receive two pouches – a white pouch containing specially made silver Maundy coins worth 77 pennies, corresponding to the King’s age, and a red pouch holding a £5 coin commemorating 100 years since the late Queen’s birth, alongside a 50p coin celebrating the 50th anniversary of The King’s Trust charity.
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