NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The royal family was met with heckling protesters in London this week for their largest public gathering since former Prince Andrew’s arrest last month.
Demonstrators from the anti-monarchy group Republic held bright yellow signs that said things like “What did you know?” outside of Westminster Abbey on Monday as King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Kate Middleton made their way inside for the annual Commonwealth Day celebration.
Other signs waved by the protesters said, “Not my king,” “Down with the Crown,” and “Ditch the Duchies.”
Demonstrators could be seen holding blown-up photos of Andrew with Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre and another one of him on his hands and knees leaning over a woman lying face up on the ground that was part of a Jeffrey Epstein files release.
SARAH FERGUSON IS A ‘LOOSE CANNON’ WHO ‘KNOWS WHERE THE BODIES ARE BURIED,’ ROYAL EXPERTS WARN
Kate Middleton and Prince William walk past protesters on their way into Westminster Abbey on Monday. (Karwai Tang/WireImage; Vuk Valcic/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
“What did you know?” was written below both photos.
Another banner read, “Charles, what are you hiding?”
A poster held up by a protester included a photo of Charles, William and Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, smiling with the words “What are you hiding? Royal Epstein Enquiry” written underneath.
PRINCE WILLIAM BREAKS ROYAL CODE TO DISTANCE HIMSELF FROM ‘DESPICABLE’ UNCLE ANDREW: EXPERT
Andrew was arrested on Feb. 19 on suspicion of misconduct in public office relating to his Epstein connections. He was released after 11 hours in custody. He has not been charged and has denied all the allegations against him.
Protesters hold placards and wave flags outside the annual Commonwealth Day celebration at Westminster Abbey on Monday. (Brook Mitchell / AFP via Getty Images)
The king, who removed Andrew’s titles, including “prince,” last fall, didn’t defend his younger brother in a statement released by Buckingham Palace after his arrest.
“I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office,” the king said at the time. “What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation. Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.”
Anti-monarchy protesters hold up signs that spell out “What did you know?” on Commonwealth Day in the U.K. on Monday. (Vuk Valcic/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
“As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all,” he added.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
Andrew was ordered by the king to leave his home in Royal Lodge in Windsor last fall for a smaller home on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.
The former Duke of York was not at Westminster Abbey on Monday, where Charles, Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, Princess Anne, and the Duke of Gloucester, a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, met for the annual celebration of the 56 countries that make up the British Commonwealth.
LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Kate Middleton inside attending the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey on Monday. (Arthur Edwards – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Sarah Ferguson, who is believed to have left the country, and princesses Beatrice and Eugenie weren’t at the event.
Charles avoided any mentions of Andrew in his annual speech Monday, instead focusing on global issues like war and conflict and climate change.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Graham Smith, a Republic spokesperson, told Channel 5 News in the U.K. that he thinks public support for the monarchy has dipped recently because people across the country are angry about the Andrew scandal.
“There’s genuine sort of concern about what people knew,” Smith told the station. “That question is being asked, not just by us, but by royalists and royal journalists and commentators, so, I think the heckling is reflecting a much wider mood. I think that’s why it’s cutting through and getting talked about so much.”