Denbighshire Council workers tried to remove the graffiti, and North Wales Police are investigating
Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty; Alamy
NEED TO KNOW
- King Charles and Queen Camilla attended the Royal Maundy Service in Wales on April 2
- Anti-monarchy graffiti reading “Not our King” was splashed on St. Asaph Cathedral before they arrived
- The Royal Maundy Service dates back to 600 AD and sees the sovereign distribute coins to local pensioners on the Thursday before Easter
The Welsh church where King Charles led a royal Easter tradition was defaced with an anti-monarchy message before he arrived.
On April 2, King Charles and Queen Camilla stepped out in north Wales to attend the Royal Maundy Service at St. Asaph Cathedral, bringing the pre-Easter tradition to Wales for just the second time in history.
Before they arrived, the words "Not our King" were splashed in red spray on one of the walls of the ancient cathedral, which the local council quickly worked to remove.
The phrase "Not my King" is a go-to slogan of the anti-monarchy group Republic, which staged a demonstration outside of the Royal Maundy Service on Thursday. Republic CEO Graham Smith said in a statement, "Charles shouldn't be able to avoid questions about his complicity in the Andrew scandal," referring to the former Prince Andrew's ties to Jeffrey Epstein. "The public wants answers. That's why activists were protesting in North Wales today."
However, Republic has not taken responsibility for the cathedral graffiti or been charged in connection with the graffiti.
Credit: Alamy
When reached by PEOPLE, North Wales Police said in a statement, "We are investigating an incident of criminal damage in the area surrounding St Asaph Cathedral. Graffiti appeared on the outside surrounding walls in areas open to the public during the early hours of today, 2 April. Denbighshire Council are in the process of removing the graffiti."
Chief Inspector Caroline Mullen-Hurst added, "Officers are conducting enquiries to establish the full circumstances and to identify the individual or offenders responsible. Such behavior has no place in our community, and we are committed to ensuring that those responsible are held accountable." Anyone with information is also urged to contact the department directly.
Credit: Alamy
Photos showed that workers attempted to remove the message from the wall, and a large tarp was placed over it.
King Charles, 77, and Queen Camilla, 78, seemed to be in good spirits when they arrived for the Royal Maundy Service, commemorating the Maundy Thursday Christian holy day on the Thursday before Easter.
The Royal Maundy Service sees the sovereign distribute Maundy money, or special coins, to local pensioners (often retirees) in a service symbolic of Jesus washing the Apostles' feet at the last supper.
Credit: Alamy
The service dates back to 600 AD, and the King has continued his late mother Queen Elizabeth's practice of celebrating the event at different cathedrals and abbeys around the U.K. Early during her reign, the late Queen decided that Maundy money should not be exclusively distributed to the people of London and hit the road to take the festivities to houses of worship around the U.K.
This year's Royal Maundy Service was notable as only the first time it has been held in Wales since 1982 and just the second time in the tradition's history.
Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty
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Wales is a meaningful place for the King, who was the Prince of Wales for 64 years before his accession to the throne upon Queen Elizabeth's death in September 2022. King Charles then used his first speech as sovereign to name his eldest son and direct successor, Prince William, as the new Prince of Wales, making William's wife, Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales.
On Easter Sunday, April 5, the King and Queen are due to lead the royal family at the Easter Matins Service at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle to worship on the holiday.
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