Charles’ Coronation ‘piles pressure’ on security and police fearing disruption
The King's Coronation will see the biggest security operation in years actioned due to growing safety concerns, according to reports.
King Charles, 74, and Queen Consort Camilla, 75, will be crowned on 6 May in London, with thousands of people expected to flock to the capital to celebrate across the three-day bank holiday weekend.
Planning for the event is well underway, with multiple stars confirmed to be performing at a Windsor Castle concert, but security chiefs are said to be concerned about eco-warriors, terrorists, and anarchists disrupting the historic event.
Former Head of Royal Protection Dai Davies told the Mirror: “The threat is as big as it has been in 50 years.”
Specialist cops have even widened their focus from concentrating on established terror groups and other 'fixated individuals' to include members of peaceful campaign groups.
According to The Mirror, police forces in England have been profiling and filming anti-monarchist campaigners due to fears they may target the Coronation.
In recent weeks, King Charles and Camilla have both narrowly avoided being pelted with eggs during public walkabouts and were also met with separate protests from campaign group Republic in Milton Keynes, Chichester and York.
Outlining the security fears for the Coronation, former head of royalty protection Dai also told the Mirror: "It is clear the threat to the monarchy is as big as it has been in the last 50 years – and the potential is as big because of the rise of Irish dissident groups and the increased action of anarchist campaign groups.
“This unique set of circumstances has piled pressure on services which are already stretched to the limit".
The procession route for the Coronation of King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort will be much shorter than the late Queen Elizabeth's, which could also be due to security fears.
Charles and Camilla's procession route will be just 1.3 miles – around a quarter of the length of the late Queen's.
The newly crowned Charles and Queen Consort will travel from Westminster Abbey through Parliament Square, along Whitehall, around Trafalgar Square, through Admiralty Arch and down The Mall back to Buckingham Palace.
Historian, writer and broadcaster Tessa Dunlop spoke exclusively to OK! and said the "shorter route is about money" and "policing and security".
She added: “It's about saving money, it's about policing and security, that's why they've chosen the shorter route because after every metre you have in the procession it costs an arm and a leg to corner off and make secure.
“You can’t underestimate how much that costs, so that's why they've got the shorter route."
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