King Charles' Official Portrait Vandalized With 'Wallace And Gromit' Stickers By Animal Rights Activists
Animal rights activists in London defaced King Charles' first official portrait since his coronation in May 2023.
Two supporters from the group Animal Rising took action on Tuesday at the Philip Mould Gallery, where the portrait by Jonathan Yeo was displayed. They attached posters inspired by Wallace and Gromit onto the image, overlaying the king's face with that of Wallace with a speech bubble that read, "No Cheese Gromit. Look At All This Cruelty On RSPCA Farms!"
The protest aimed to raise awareness of a new report by Animal Rising, an organization focused on promoting a sustainable future with positive relationships between humanity, animals, and nature. Published on June 9, the report highlighted instances of "cruelty and suffering" across 45 randomly sampled farms affiliated with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' (RSPCA) Assured program.
The RSPCA Assured serves as the organization's non-profit initiative dedicated to farm animal welfare assurance, maintaining elevated standards from birth to slaughter.
King Charles, 75, serves as the royal patron of the RSPCA, continuing a tradition started by his mother Queen Elizabeth.
"The lighthearted action played on the King's love of Wallace and Gromit and his status as Royal Patron of the RSPCA," Animal Rising stated in the announcement. "Animal Rising has called on the King to suspend his support for the charity until they drop the Assured Scheme."
The activists targeted a symbol of significance: King Charles' inaugural portrait since his ceremonial crowning last spring.
The striking red portrait by Yeo was unveiled at Buckingham Palace on May 14, marking the culmination of a four-year commission.
Initiated in 2020, the artwork was intended to commemorate Charles' 50 years as a member of The Draper's Company, a milestone he reached in 2022.