Anti-monarchy rally set for King and Queen's visit to Scotland for ceremony at St Giles’ Cathedral

Anti-monarchy protests are set to be held in Edinburgh next month as the King and Queen attend a ceremony to mark their coronation.

Charles is set to be presented with the Honours of Scotland, the oldest crown jewels in Britain, during a service of thanksgiving at St Giles’ Cathedral on Wednesday, July 5.

Members of the campaign group Republic have said they will demonstrate the “pointless vanity parade” outside the cathedral.

The Scottish-based Our Republic will also hold a rally at the Meadows in the city later the same day.

The events will mark the first protest by the republican groups since the coronation on May 6.

A total of 52 demonstrators, including six from Republic, were arrested by the Metropolitan Police on suspicion of offences including breaching the peace and conspiracy to cause public nuisance.

The six protesters, which included Republic chief executive Graham Smith, were held for almost 16 hours, later bailed and on Monday told that no further action would be taken against them.

On coronation day, hundreds also gathered on Calton Hill in Edinburgh for an anti-monarchy rally organised by Our Republic.

The ceremony on July 5 is in honour of so-called Royal Week. A royal procession will travel from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to the cathedral, with the public lining the Royal Mile to view both processions.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland, will also attend.

A 21-gun salute will fire from Edinburgh Castle at the end of the St Giles’ service, before the royal procession travels back to the palace.

The Stone of Destiny will be in the cathedral during the ceremony, and there will also be a fly-past by the Red Arrows following the event.

Mr Smith, said: “We are back. We will not be deterred from protesting by the arrests at the coronation, and will continue to make the voices of millions of republicans heard around the UK.

“This pointless vanity parade in Edinburgh will cost Scottish taxpayers millions of pounds, and for what? So Charles can once again be centre of attention for a day.

“Everyone in the UK should have the right to choose our head of state – not be told it will be Charles. Charles does not represent the people of Scotland any more than he represents the rest of the UK.

“Fewer than 10% of people in Britain were enthusiastic about the coronation. It’s unlikely Scots will be that interested in this farcical ceremony.

“Shouldn’t we instead be celebrating ordinary people, people who have achieved something, and the power of people to govern ourselves and shape our own lives?”