On April 2, 2026, St Asaph Cathedral in North Wales became the backdrop for an unusual incident ahead of the Royal Maundy Service, attended by King Charles and Queen Camilla. Just before the royal couple’s arrival, the cathedral’s exterior was defaced with graffiti reading “Not our King”, a phrase commonly associated with anti-monarchy sentiments and used by the group Republic, which advocates for the abolition of the monarchy.
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This year’s Royal Maundy Service was particularly significant, marking only the second time in its history that it was held in Wales, and the first since 1982. Historically, the service, which dates back to 600 AD, involves the sovereign distributing Maundy money—special coins—to local pensioners, symbolising the Christian tradition of humility and service exemplified by Jesus during the Last Supper.
In response to the graffiti, employees from Denbighshire Council rushed to remove the anti-monarchist message from the cathedral wall. A large tarp was also placed over the graffiti in an effort to obscure it before the royal ceremony began. Local police quickly initiated an investigation into the incident, classifying it as criminal damage.
Chief Inspector Caroline Mullen-Hurst of North Wales Police stated, “Officers are conducting enquiries to establish the full circumstances and to identify the individual or offenders responsible. Such behaviour has no place in our community, and we are committed to ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.” Members of the public who may have information regarding the incident were encouraged to come forward.
Republic, the self-proclaimed anti-monarchy organisation, conducted a protest outside the cathedral during the service. Their chief executive, Graham Smith, used the occasion to highlight ongoing public concerns regarding King Charles’s perceived involvement in the scandals surrounding his brother, Prince Andrew. Smith asserted that the public is seeking answers regarding the royal family’s past controversies, underscoring the motivations behind the demonstration.
Despite the graffiti incident, King Charles and Queen Camilla seemed to be in good spirits as they arrived at the cathedral, ready to carry on the traditions of the Maundy service. The event serves as a reaffirmation of the monarchy’s role in tradition and charity, and it continues to play an important role in the Christian calendar. This year, the ceremony held an additional layer of significance for the King, who was invested with the title of Prince of Wales for 64 years prior to ascending to the throne in September 2022.
During the service, King Charles greeted the elderly recipients of the Maundy money, in a gesture reflective of his commitment to community service and recognition of the elderly. His mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, had also honoured this tradition meticulously, choosing to hold the event in various cathedrals across the country, thereby extending its reach beyond London.
On Easter Sunday, just a few days after the Maundy Service, the King and Queen are expected to lead the royal family during the Easter Matins Service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, reaffirming their dedication to public service and faith.
As the day unfolded, while the graffiti incident presented a stark image of dissent against the monarchy, it also highlighted the ongoing conversations concerning the relevance of the royal family in modern society. With strong opinions on both sides, the royal family continues to navigate public sentiment while upholding long-standing traditions central to British heritage.