Welsh independence stickers removed from coronation postbox outside Cardiff's Owain Glyndŵr pub
A number of Welsh independence and republican stickers, which were plastered over a specially decorated coronation postbox hours after it was unveiled have been removed.
The red, white and blue Royal Mail postbox, which has on it the coronation emblem and a Union flag, has attracted criticism from some members of the public and campaign groups over the location of the box.
It was placed outside a pub named after the leader of the most widespread revolt against established English authority in Wales.
The Owain Glyndŵr pub in the city centre is a popular spot on St John Street.
Owain Glyndŵr was the last native Welshman to hold the Prince of Wales title and is viewed by many as a Welsh hero who liberated his people.
On Wednesday afternoon, CPD Cefn Hengoed Gweriniaeth Cymru (Republic of Wales) stickers appeared on the postbox over the words “Charles” and “Coronation”.
During the night more stickers appeared on the box, with Yes Cymru, Wrexham Lager and Welsh Football Fans for Independence stickers placed to cover the coronation emblem.
While some commentators on social media appeared to predict and support the vandalism of the box, others, including Welsh Conservative councillor for Radyr and Morgantown Calum Davies, reported it to Royal Mail and Cardiff Council.
By mid-morning on Thursday the stickers had been ripped off, but their outline remained visible.
Wales’s capital city will be the centre of the nation’s coronation celebrations at the weekend, with a public screening of the ceremony being held in Cardiff Castle and a showing of the following concert taking place at Roald Dahl Plass.
A “Not My King” protest will also take place on the city’s streets, with people expected to gather by the statue of Aneurin Bevan on Queen Street from 12.30pm before a march takes place.
It will be followed by a “Big Republican Lunch” in Bute Park – a play on the name of the Big Coronation Lunches that communities have been encouraged to hold to mark the occasion.
The march will coincide with similar anti-monarchist protests expected to take place across the UK during the coronation event, including in London.
The organisers behind the protest in Wales, Cymru Republic, previously held a demonstration during the King’s visit to Cardiff following his accession to the throne.
Groups have been warned that under new laws to curb protests which came into force on Wednesday anyone found disrupting infrastructure such as roads, airports and railways will be dealt with swiftly and could face 12 months behind bars.
The Senedd’s presiding officer Elin Jones has said she will not be attending the coronation on Saturday with First Minister Mark Drakeford, and added that deputy presiding officer, Labour’s David Rees, will attend the ceremony at Westminster Abbey instead.
The Plaid Cymru MS told members on Thursday: “As a republican, I consider it is for others to celebrate a coronation.”