Animal activists from the British group Animal Rising vandalized this Tuesday, June 11, a recent official portrait of King Charles, created by artist Jonathan Yeo. A way to protest against the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), an organization that fights for animal welfare sponsored by the monarch, which Animal Rising nevertheless accuses of cruelty to animals.
As shown in a video posted on X (formerly Twitter) by Animal Rising, two activists broke into London’s Philip Mold gallery, where the portrait is temporarily on display. And he used a reference to wallace and gromitan animated comedy franchise from Aardman Studios, about a man and his dog, who want to destroy the painting.
Painted by the famous British artist Jonathan Yeo, it depicts the king in the uniform of the Welsh Guard regiment against a scarlet red background that extends over his figure.
It was commissioned by the Drapers’ Company, one of London’s historic trading guilds, at whose headquarters it will later be displayed.
The two activists covered the king’s face with an image of Wallace, next to which they pasted a comic bubble:
“No cheese, Gromit,” it reads. “Look at all the cruel treatment going on on RSPCA farms!”
A broadcast report
Animal Rising published an 8-minute report explaining that they had investigated over 40 RSPCA-approved breeders and uncovered cases of animal abuse. “The RSPCA is failing to protect millions of animals trapped on farms across the country,” they write, before continuing:
“They talk about ‘improving the living conditions of farm animals,’ but they put their seal of approval on farms and practices that go against all the criteria they claim to respect.”
Campaigners heard from Chris Packham, president of the RSPCA: “I found the images extraordinarily difficult to watch. I honestly felt nauseated. Animal suffering is animal suffering, no matter where it takes place and when it happens in your own backyard.” butt, when you should be the ones to stop it; it hurts even more.
Precedents last year
Animal Rising has already opposed King Charles. Last August, three activists from the group stole lambs from the monarch’s property.
Furthermore, this portrait is not the first depiction of King Charles vandalized by activists. In July 2023, environmental activists spray-painted a painting of the monarch on display in Edinburgh.
“Why does the Scottish Government think it is acceptable to continue allowing new oil and gas projects, without even opposing them? If we want a future for our young people, they must oppose all new oil and gas development,” he said. in X (ex-Twitter) one of the two activists, Ben Taylor, a 28-year-old gardener, to justify his action.
Source: BFM TV
