During a Royal outing in York on Wednesday, King Charles III and Queen Camilla were disrupted by a protester who decided to throw several eggs in the couple’s direction. They were in the midst of a walkabout outside the Micklegate Bar – one of the four primary gateways in York’s medieval history.
It was a pleasant welcoming ceremony up until that point. “This country was built on the blood of slaves,’ the protester yelled out before throwing five eggs at the King and Queen. While neither of them was hit by an egg, they came within inches of the couple and splattered on the ground right next to them.
As the eggs came raining down, the King’s personal protection officers moved him out of harm’s way and eventually formed a shield around him as the crowd chanted ‘God save the King’ and ‘hip, hip, hooray!’ The man that threw the eggs was apprehended by police within seconds – as expected at a Royal outing.
When a video of the incident was posted online, many people couldn’t help but notice how unfazed and unbothered King Charles III was. He was in the middle of a conversation when the first egg whizzed by his face. Instead of flinching, he continued the conversation and briefly looked at the egg on the ground.
He then proceeded to shake someone’s hand as the final three eggs were thrown. He didn’t even seem to care about the eggs on the ground, almost stepping on one of them as he continued his walkabout. As for Queen Camilla, she showed initial concern, but immediately relaxed when she realized what happened.
One witness was disappointed someone had to spoil ‘what was a lovely moment.’ While a put a brief halt to their moment in front of Micklegate Bar, that moment quickly continued when it stopped raining eggs and the chanting quieted down. It’s good to know the new King doesn’t have an ounce of fear in him.
King Charles III ascended to the throne as the 62nd British monarch, just days following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II – who remained atop the throne for 70 years. For a majority of people living in the United Kingdom, this is the first time someone not named Queen Elizabeth II has been crowned.
What Were King Charles III and Queen Camilla Doing in York?
King Charles III and Queen Camilla were at the Micklegate Bar in York on Wednesday as part of a two-day trip to the city. Their primary purpose for the trip was to unveil a statue commemorating Queen Elizabeth II’s historic reign – it’s the first statue being installed since the former Queen died in September.
“When this statue was first planned five years ago … it was intended as a celebration of the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Now, as we have witnessed, with great sadness, the passing of that reign, it is unveiled in her memory, as a tribute to a life of extraordinary service and devotion,” said King Charles at the event.
The statue, which was completed a month before she passed away, is 6-foot-7 and stands in a niche outside the York Minster. It was designed and carved by Minster stonemason, Richard Bossons, and is made out of French Lepine limestone. She would be proud of it, as it’s a design she chose herself.
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During the ceremony, King Charles III and Queen Camilla were sporting red poppy pins. They’re a staple in the Royal Family’s wardrobe during the month of November as they commemorate military members who lost their lives in battle. The Royal British Legion sells these pins to raise money for veterans.