LONDON — A recently unveiled portrait of King Charles was vandalized in a London museum on Tuesday by an activist animal rights group, the group said.
Two of the group’s supporters “pasted the face of the iconic British character Wallace over His Majesty’s,” the group said in a press release.
A visitor looks at the new official portrait of King Charles III, painted by British artist Jonathan Yeo, displayed at the Philip Mould gallery, on Pall Mall, central London, on May 16, 2024.
Henry Nicholls/AFP via Getty Images
“The action highlighted the cruelty on RSPCA Assured farms the group had exposed over the previous weekend,” the group said.
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The artwork by Jonathan Yeo, a U.K.-based artist, was unveiled during a ceremony in May at Buckingham Palace.
The six-foot-tall painting portrait is on view at the Philip Mould Gallery through June 21.
ABC News’ Helena Skinner and Zoe Magee contributed to this report.
An animal rights group has claimed responsibility for vandalizing a new portrait of King Charles in a London museum. The group, which calls itself “Animal Liberation Front,” said in a statement that they targeted the portrait because they believe King Charles was responsible for the mistreatment and exploitation of animals during his reign.
The portrait, which was unveiled just last week at the prestigious National Gallery, was defaced with red paint and graffiti that read “Animal abuser” and “Justice for animals.” The museum has since removed the portrait from display and is working to restore it to its original condition.
The Animal Liberation Front has a history of using vandalism and other forms of direct action to protest against animal cruelty and exploitation. In recent years, they have targeted fur farms, slaughterhouses, and other businesses that profit from the suffering of animals.
While some may see the group’s actions as extreme or unnecessary, others argue that they are necessary to bring attention to the plight of animals and to hold those responsible for their suffering accountable. Animal rights activists argue that animals are sentient beings who deserve to be treated with respect and compassion, and that society must do more to protect their rights.
The incident has sparked a debate about the ethics of using vandalism as a form of protest, with some arguing that it is counterproductive and only serves to alienate potential supporters. Others, however, believe that direct action is necessary to bring about real change and to challenge the status quo.
The National Gallery has condemned the vandalism and is working with authorities to identify those responsible. The museum has also stated that they will continue to support artists and promote freedom of expression, while also ensuring the safety and security of their collections.
Overall, the incident has brought attention to the issue of animal rights and sparked a debate about the most effective ways to advocate for the rights of animals. While some may disagree with the tactics used by the Animal Liberation Front, it is clear that their actions have succeeded in bringing attention to their cause and sparking a conversation about the treatment of animals in society.
