ANTI-MONARCHY campaigners in Wales united today in condemning the “ridiculous” public allegiance pledge to Charles Windsor included in the coronation ritual.

Campaigners are planning to hold “not my king” demonstrations throughout Wales on Saturday, the day of the coronation, with Cymru Republic — which campaigns for a Wales free from the monarchy — will be protesting in Cardiff.

Wales Green Party leader Anthony Slaughter said: “In a truly modern democracy, an elected head of state would be pledging their allegiance to the people.

“The idea that members of the public should be invited to come together to pledge allegiance to the monarchy is ridiculous in the 21st century.”

Cardiff People’s Assembly activist Adam Johannes said: “There is a real sense of hubris swirling around the monarchy. As enthusiasm for this dying institution plummets, they turn to ever more populist kitsch and cultish methods to desperately cling on to public support.

“It is time for the people of Wales and the other nations of the UK to have a grown-up discussion about our constitutional future and how we are governed,” Mr Slaughter said.

Labour for an Independent Wales co-founder Ben Gwalchmai said: “All of us in Wales are far closer to being homeless than we are to being millionaires like them: it’s the 21st century, it’s time to abolish the monarchy because he’s not my king.”

Cymru Republic and former Plaid Cymru Senedd member Bethan Sayed said: “We want a Wales free from the monarchy, where people are equal and not the ‘subjects’ of an outdated institution. 

“We want to create a modern Wales which recognises the diverse communities of our nation.”

The campaigners organised a 500-strong protest outside Cardiff Castle when Mr Windsor visited in September 2022.

The group plan to meet at the Aneurin Bevan statue in Cardiff’s Queen street at 12.30pm on Saturday and will then march to Bute Park to the stone circle. 

Cymru Republic will then hold a “big republican lunch” and are encouraging everyone to bring a picnic.