'Violence and yobbery!' GB News viewers react to activists vandalising portrait of King

'Violence and yobbery!' GB News viewers react to activists vandalising portrait of King

Watch: King Charles's portrait is vandalised

GB News
GB News Reporter

By GB News Reporter


Published: 12/06/2024

- 11:39

Animal Rising group said it "redecorated" the portrait in protest of the RSPCA Assured Farms scheme

The first official portrait of King Charles since the Coronation was vandalised by animal activists at a London art gallery today.

Protestors put a picture of the cartoon character Wallace from the animation Wallace & Gromit over King Charles's portrait.


The activists added a speech bubble next to Wallace with the words: "No cheese Gromit, look at all this cruelty on RSPCA farms."

GB News viewers have reacted to the act calling it "disgraceful" and branding the activists as "vandals."

King Charles official portrait and animal rights activists vandalising the King's portrait

King Charles's portrait was vandalised at a London Art Gallery

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One viewer commented: "I was always taught that defacing the King or Queen’s face was an offence. Disrespectful."

"Violence and yobbery is not acceptable at any level," added Maria Pooler.

Another viewer said: "Love it or loathe it this is a portrait of our Head of State and should be respected. What difference will this stupid act make?"

Another viewer questioned why the King, who is the Patron of the RSPCA, should be blamed.

Dean Freeman said: "King Charles has been a leading figure in farming and climate issues for decades... how anyone can blame him for cruelty to animals is totally ignorant and misinformed."

King Charles official portrait with Wallace's head

Animal rising protestors put a picture of the cartoon character Wallace over King Charles's portrait

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Others commented on the security of the building asking how the activists were not caught before the act took place.

"Going equipped to cause criminal damage should be a criminal offence," one person said.

"How did they get in holding rollers and all that other stuff!! Where's the security." another person asked.

Another viewer voiced their concern for the artist of the painting, Jonathon Yeo, stating: "It took the artist I think something like three years to paint the portrait.

"It wasn’t something that was done overnight like the vandals would do painting by numbers! Imagine how the artist must be feeling, devastated!"

However, some viewers weren't so keen on the portrait in the first place describing it as an "abysmal" painting.

"I'll go against the grain here and say they've improved it. It's an abysmal painting," said one person.

Tina Blacklock added: "Whilst I don't condone the actions of these imbeciles. I think the painting itself was utterly tasteless... an aberration, so let's hope it doesn't see the light of day after this."

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