'NotMyKing': King Charles slammed by anti-monarchists as he takes the throne after Queen's death
LONDON, UK: While Charles III was proclaimed king of the United Kingdom, some criticized the new ruler using the hashtag "#NotMyKing." Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8 at the age of 96, her son Charles immediately ascended the throne, and his solemn coronation took place on Saturday. While many British praised the new King and grieved the late Queen, others expressed their rage.
The hashtag "Not My King" has been going viral on social media, evoking the phrase "Not My President," which political opponents commonly used throughout the Obama and Trump administrations. People who used the hashtag shared complaints about Charles, the monarchy, and a video showing the new king allegedly behaving impolitely at his proclamation ceremony.
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One of the most prominent uses of the hashtag was provided by Twitter user @SymonHill, who claimed to have been "arrested" in Oxford, England, for speaking out against King Charles III's proclamation. "I was arrested under the Police Bill approved earlier this year. This is a vicious assault on democracy. #NotMyKing," he added. "Can we be arrested merely for voicing an opinion in public?"
I was arrested today in #Oxford after I voiced my opposition to the proclamation of "#CharlesIII". Can we be arrested simply for expressing an opinion in public? I was arrested under the Police Bill passed earlier this year. This is an outrageous assault on democracy.#NotMyKing
— Symon Hill (@SymonHill) September 11, 2022
The hashtag was also utilized by the non-profit organization @RepublicStaff, which seeks to dethrone the British monarchy in favor of an elected head of state. They stated, "Charles has just dodged a multi-million pound inheritance tax. New monarchs are exempted from paying a tax the rest of us must pay, at significant cost to the taxpayer."
Charles has just dodged a multi-million pound inheritance tax. New monarchs are exempted from paying a tax the rest of us must pay, at significant cost to the taxpayer. #AbolishTheMonarchy #NotMyKing pic.twitter.com/hPwX1myGgR
— Republic (@RepublicStaff) September 11, 2022
According to Business Insider, Charles will inherit a total of about $750 million from his late mother, and he is immune from British inheritance tax. Meanwhile, others brought up the concern that the UK has seen the introduction of two new leaders in a week without a public vote. "In the space of three days, we have a Prime Minister that 99.83% of the population never voted for, and a king and prince that 100% of the population never voted for," wrote @dominicjroberts.
In the space of three days, we have a Prime Minister that 99.83% of the population never voted for, and a king and prince that 100% of the population never voted for.
— Dominic Roberts (@dominicjroberts) September 10, 2022
The UK is many things, but a democracy is not one of them. #NotMyKing #NotMyPrince #NotMyPM #AbolishTheMonarchy
"What a horrible bloke," @ainger13 wrote as they called for the monarchy to be abolished. "All respect to the Queen but it's time the monarchy went, they're just inbred ancestors of bullies who killed for power and believe they're better than others," they wrote. "Royalty summed up in one short video clip. Peasant clear my desk," jibed @camdentown, going on to ask what he's like behind closed doors when the cameras aren't on him.
What a horrible bloke,all respect to the Queen but it's time the monarchy went,they're just inbred ancestors of bullies who killed for power and believe they're better than others #NotMyKing #AbolishTheMonarchy https://t.co/NJje3sd2RV
— Paul Ainger 🙈🙉🙊 (@ainger13) September 11, 2022
One user wrote, "Royalty summed up in one short video clip. Peasant clear my desk. Imagine what Charlie Jug Ears is like when the cameras aren’t fixed on him. #Notmyking" with a video of King Charles III asking an aide to clean his desk.
Royalty summed up in one short video clip. Peasant clear my desk.
— Jim Brennan (@camdentownjim) September 10, 2022
Imagine what Charlie Jug Ears is like when the cameras aren’t fixed on him.#Notmykingpic.twitter.com/ySe2dVdQbk