The animal rights group who vandalised King Charles’ portrait on Tuesday has faced mass public backlash, as the group is slammed online.
The Australian’s Media Writer Sophie Elsworth says social media keeps giving climate “fools” publicity after activists were filmed defacing King Charles’ first official portrait.
“We’re giving these fools the oxygen that they want,” she told Sky News host James Macpherson.
“Do you ignore it? If you do ignore it, I guess they don’t get what they want, and then perhaps they’d move on.
“But sadly, this is the media cycle because they post this stuff up on social media, it goes viral, and then we all talk about it.”
The first official portrait of King Charles III was vandalised by two protesters from the activist group Animal Rising on Tuesday, just one month after being unveiled.
The portrait, by UK-based artist Jonathan Yeo, was unveiled at Buckingham Palace in mid-May.
On Tuesday, two campaigners were seen plastering over the artwork – which is on display at the Philip Mould Gallery in London until June 21 – with a picture of a character from the famous British animation series Wallace & Gromit.
Two protesters from activist group Animal Rising climbed over security rope in front of visitors, covering Charles’ face with an image of animated character Wallace from Wallace and Gromit. Picture: Animal Rising
Two protesters from the activist group Animal Rising climbed over the security rope in front of visitors to deface the artwork and added a speech bubble to Wallace’s face that read: “No Cheese, Gromit. Look At All This Cruelty on RSPCA Farms!”
The act has drawn fierce criticism online, as well as from the RSPCA.
An RSPCA spokesperson told The Guardian: “We welcome scrutiny of our work, but we cannot condone illegal activity of any kind. We remain confident that our RSPCA assured scheme is the best way to help farmed animals right now, while campaigning to change their lives in the future. However, any concerns about welfare on RSPCA assured-certified farms are taken extremely seriously and RSPCA assured is acting swiftly to look into these allegations.”
Animal Rising has failed to garner support from the general public either.
“I just don’t understand why all of a sudden people have decided it’s acceptable to break the law & vandalise whatever they please to highlight some cause,” one user wrote on X.
“They might be a small minority but there’s a larger one cheering them on. What happened to order and respect. Seriously,” wrote another.
Artist Jonathan Yeo and King Charles III stand in front of the portrait of the King Charles III as it is unveiled in the blue drawing room at Buckingham Palace on May 14, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Aaron Chown-WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Others highlighted the monarch’s well-known work with the RSPCA.
“To the pathetic scumbags who today vandalised the portrait of King Charles, he has done more in his life to highlight climate change, organic food and improving standards in animal husbandry than all of you combined.”
“I am appalled at the vandalism that was allowed to occur to King Charles modern portrait. Besides being the patron of the RSPCA – these activists need to be stopped, their ignorance is showing. Pathetic!”
Ex-Barrow MP Lord Walney said the UK has entered a “new era of extreme protest”
“We have entered a new era of extreme protest in the UK that demands a renewed commitment to uphold and defend democratic norms from our political leaders to re-establish deterrence against this political vandalism.”
The painting is understood to be protected by Perspex, meaning it was unlikely to have been damaged by the act.