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King Charles III Portrait Vandalized by Animal Rights Activists On Thursday, August 10th, 2023, a famous portrait of King Charles III was vandalized at an art gallery in London. Animal rights activists took responsibility for the act, claiming it was a protest against the monarchy’s alleged support for fox hunting. The portrait, which depicts the king in royal regalia, was spray-painted with the words “Abolish Fox Hunting” in large, red letters. The paint also obscured the king’s face, leaving only his eyes visible. The activists released a statement explaining their actions, stating that fox hunting was a cruel and barbaric practice that had no place in modern society. They accused the monarchy of turning a blind eye to the suffering of animals for their own enjoyment. The vandalism sparked outrage among royalists and art enthusiasts alike. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned the attack, calling it an “appalling act of disrespect.” The Royal Society for the Protection of Animals (RSPCA) also denounced the vandalism, but expressed support for the activists’ stance against fox hunting. Police are investigating the incident and are searching for the perpetrators. No arrests have been made at this time. The portrait, which is valued at several million pounds, has been removed from the gallery for restoration. It is unclear when or if it will be returned to public display. The vandalism has reignited the debate over the future of fox hunting in the United Kingdom. The practice, which involves chasing and killing foxes with hounds, has been banned in Scotland and Wales, but is still legal in England and Northern Ireland. Animal rights groups have campaigned for years to end fox hunting, arguing that it is cruel and unnecessary. Supporters of the sport maintain that it is a traditional activity that is an important part of rural life. As the investigation into the vandalism continues, it is likely that the debate over fox hunting will continue to intensify.Animal Rights Activists Target King Charles III Portrait in Latest Museum Protest

Animal Rights Activists Target King Charles III Portrait in Latest Museum Protest

Animal rights activists have carried out a “comic redecoration” of a portrait of King Charles III in a London art gallery, highlighting alleged animal welfare violations on farms approved by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA). A group known as Animal Rising shared a video of activists pasting an image of Wallace, a character from the comedy series “Wallace and Gromit,” over the king’s head in the Philip Mold Gallery. The image included a speech bubble reading: “No cheese, Gromit. Look at all this cruelty on RSPCA farms!” The portrait, protected by plastic sheeting, remained undamaged. However, this incident follows a series of protests at UK museums, where activists have used vandalism to draw attention to their causes. Animal Rising claims their investigation revealed widespread violations of animal husbandry rules on RSPCA-approved farms. The RSPCA has not yet commented on these allegations. Jonathan Yeo’s larger-than-life painting of Charles was unveiled last month and is the first portrait of the king since he ascended to the throne in 2022. The portrait was commissioned by the Drapers’ Company, a philanthropic organization with a history dating back over 600 years. The protest echoes a recent incident at the British Library, where climate change activists attacked the protective display case housing an original copy of Magna Carta. The 800-year-old document, a foundation of Western democracy, was unharmed. These incidents have sparked concerns about the safety of cultural artifacts and the appropriateness of using vandalism as a form of protest.