Police Drag Away Demonstrator Who Lay In Middle Of Trooping Of The Colour Parade

Police were forced to intervene in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations after members of the public caused an obstruction during the Trooping the Colour parade.

The parade kicked off this weekend's celebrations marking Queen Elizabeth II's 70 years on the throne, with crowds gathering in Trafalgar Square and along the Mall to watch as the march took place.

Trooping the Colour takes place annually in honour of the Queen's birthday, but it has added features this year with the 1st Battalion, Irish Guards, and more than 1,200 officers and soldiers from the Household Division putting on an impressive display.

Protesters are carried away by police after interrupting the start of Trooping the Colour.#PlatinumJubilee latest: https://t.co/oEpDBmxlOz

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— Sky News (@SkyNews) June 2, 2022

Members of the public have travelled from all over the country to watch the celebrations unfold, but vegan activists from Animal Rebellion caused an unexpected hindrance in the proceedings when they vaulted the fences near Buckingham Palace and lay on the ground in the way of those taking part.

Police were forced to run into the middle of the march to grab the protesters, who caused participants to stumble out of formation. One of the protesters could be seen wearing a crown while another held up a sign to those marching past them.

Protesters on The Mall interrupt Trooping the Colour. Troops barely missed a step. #platinumjubilee pic.twitter.com/rHYijkr0wx

— Jacquelin Magnay (@jacquelinmagnay) June 2, 2022

The sign read 'plant-based future', according to the Metro, and formed part of the demonstration calling for the rewilding of Royal land.

Approximately 25 activists were planning to interrupt the procession before police intervened, including activist Beau King Houston.

Speaking to the Metro about the stunt, Houston explained: "The royal family has had decades to lead the way on a just transition to plant-based farming and has failed to do so. This transition is common sense and simple, we all win. 76 percent of currently farmed land could be rewilded and absorb carbon from the atmosphere. This would restore nature, spare billions of animals, and present a solution to the climate emergency, all in one act."

Robert Gordon, a spokesperson for the group, condemned the high cost of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations amid the current cost of living crisis, saying: "This obscene amount of money could have been used to provide instant food security and kick start a plant-based future where no child is left hungry or terrified by climate collapse. We must reclaim royal land for this."

While dodging those involved in the march, police on the scene dragged the Animal Rebellion protesters to the side of the parade to ensure it could continue without further incident.