LESE MAJESTE
Protester Who Called Prince Andrew ‘Sick Old Man’ During Edinburgh Procession Is Arrested
An awed silence that had descended on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile today was shattered when a protester shouted in a clear, loud voice, “Andrew, you’re a sick old man.” Social media footage appeared to show a young man being dragged to the floor by the police. It was subsequently reported that he had been arrested.
The interjection, which shows the potential for controversy and disruption that Andrew's inclusion in public events surrounding his mother’s death might generate, came as all four of the queen’s children, including Prince Andrew, formed a solemn procession behind the queen’s coffin as it was driven in a hearse up Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile to St. Giles’ Cathedral. Behind the hearse, the King led Andrew, Edward, and Anne who walked on foot, with Anne’s husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence also walking. Queen Camilla and Sophie Wessex followed in cars.
All the siblings wore military uniforms with the exception of Prince Andrew, who was stripped of his military associations when he was fired as a working royal over the sex case that stemmed from his involvement with Jeffrey Epstein. Charles has, however, agreed Andrew will be allowed to wear a military uniform when he attends a vigil for his mother later this week; however, he will be in civilian clothes for the funeral itself. People will be able to view the coffin in Scotland for 24 hours from 5 p.m. local time, before it is taken to London tomorrow.
'Sick old man': Prince Andrew heckled by protester during Queen's coffin procession
Emily Cleary
Mon, September 12, 2022
Prince Andrew was heckled by a protester who shouted 'You're a sick old man' as the Queen's son followed her coffin procession through the streets of Edinburgh.
Scottish mourners came out in their thousands to pay their respects as she left Balmoral for the last time.
The procession, which was broadcast live on the BBC, was largely silent, sombre and respectful with well-wishers gathered beside country roads, bridges and in village and city centres to say their goodbyes.
However, one protester cut through the silence, shouting aggressively as the Duke of York passed before he was pulled away by police. His comments could clearly be heard in the coverage.
A short scuffle appeared to follow before police led the man away as he shouted "disgusting' and "I've done nothing wrong".
A Police Scotland spokesperson told Yahoo News UK: "A 22-year old man was arrested in connection with a breach of the peace on the Royal Mile around 2.50pm on Monday, 12 September 2022."
The heckler, circled in red, appeared to shout 'Andrew, you're a sick old man' at the Prince, before being hauled away by police. (Twitter)
The protester was swiftly pulled away from the procession by police (Twitter/Chris Marshall)
King Charles III was flanked by Princess Ann, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward as the coffin was carried from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh (Getty)
Andrew, the late monarch’s second son, stepped away from public life amid the fallout over his friendship with paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein.
In January this year, the Queen stripped him of all of his honorary military roles, including Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, and he gave up his HRH style.
In March, he paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case with Virginia Giuffre, although the agreement made no admission of any guilt and Andrew maintains his innocence.
The royal procession followed the hearse carrying the Queen's coffin along the Royal Mile while thousands of well-wishers lined the streets. (Getty)
Police have faced some criticism for cracking down on protesters expressing anti-monarchy sentiments in recent days.
Symon Hill, an anti-monarchy demonstrator, was arrested after shouting at an accession proclamation for the King.
Hill, 45, said he was was walking home from church on Sunday when he came across a public formal reading of the proclamation of the accession for Charles in Carfax, Oxford.
He was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence under Section 5 of the Public Order Act after shouting “Who elected him?” during the reading. He was later de-arrested after refusing to be interviewed without a lawyer, and driven home by police.
Andrew joined his father and siblings to walk behind the procession of the Queen's coffin through the streets of Edinburgh (Getty Images)
Ruth Smeeth, chief executive of Index on Censorship, said the arrests were “deeply concerning”, adding: “The fundamental right to freedom of expression, including the right to protest, is something to be protected regardless of circumstance."
Jodie Beck, policy and campaigns officer at Liberty, said: “Protest is not a gift from the State, it is a fundamental right. Being able to choose what, how, and when we protest is a vital part of a healthy and functioning democracy."
On Tuesday evening the Queen's coffin will be flown from Edinburgh to London by an RAF plane. It will be accompanied by the late monarch’s only daughter - Anne, the Princess Royal - before being moved to rest at Buckingham Palace’s Bow Room.
The Queen’s state funeral will take place at Westminster Abbey at 11am on Monday, 19 September
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