Scottish government ministers snub King Charles: Co-leaders of Greens who are allied to the SNP refuse to attend coronation celebration in Edinburgh tomorrow and will join republican protest outside Holyrood instead
- Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater turned down invitation to service of thanksgiving
- Mr Harvie will join, and speak at an anti-monarchy rally outside Holyrood instead
Two Scottish Government ministers have sparked fury by snubbing a ceremony celebrating the coronation of Charles III.
Scottish Greens co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater – two of the most outspoken republican MSPs in Holyrood – have turned down an invitation to a service of thanksgiving for the King in Edinburgh tomorrow.
Instead Mr Harvie will join, and speak at an anti-monarchy rally outside Holyrood while the rest of the Government is half a mile away at the at the St Giles’ Cathedral service on the Royal Mile.
Scottish Tory constitution spokesman Donald Cameron said the decision was akin to ‘student politics’, and Mr Harvie’s choice to speak at the rally instead was ‘predictably infantile’.
‘If he wants to ask big questions, he should start with how he conducts himself as a government minister,’ he said.
Scottish Greens co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater – two of the most outspoken republican MSPs in Holyrood – have turned down an invitation to a service of thanksgiving for the King in Edinburgh tomorrow.
Instead Mr Harvie will join, and speak at an anti-monarchy rally outside Holyrood while the rest of the Government is half a mile away at the at the St Giles’ Cathedral service on the Royal Mile.
‘The Greens may have failed to deliver a deposit return scheme, but they can definitely recycle tedious anti-monarchy rants.
‘As on so many issues, the extremist Greens are out of touch with the majority of Scots, who see the coronation and the King’s commitment to Scotland as something to celebrate.’
The Scottish Greens run on a republican platform, with the party’s website saying the royals are ‘an outdated and fundamentally undemocratic institution’.
They are in an informal link-up with the SNP which has seen Mr Harvie take a junior position as Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights.
Ms Slater is Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity.
The special service to mark the King’s coronation will see him presented with the Honours of Scotland – the country’s crown jewels.
The service will feature centuries-old aspects of Scottish royal tradition along with new additions such as music written specially for the occasion.
The Scottish Greens run on a republican platform, with the party’s website saying the royals are ‘an outdated and fundamentally undemocratic institution’.
Before the service there will be a Royal Procession and a People’s Procession along the Royal Mile involving around 100 people.
The Stone of Destiny is also expected to play a part in Wednesday’s ceremony and there will also be a fly-past by the Red Arrows following the event.
Ms Slater said: ‘In 21st century Scotland, the monarchy is nothing to celebrate. It is an out-of-date and undemocratic institution.
‘How can we justify a system that allows one family to enjoy so much unearned wealth and privilege at a time when millions of people have so little?
‘Scotland can be a modern and democratic republic with an elected and accountable head of state.
‘I want every child in Scotland to know they live in a genuine democracy and that they can achieve the highest office, regardless of which family they come from.’
While Mr Harvie added: ‘There are many people in Scotland who regard the monarchy as a tiresome spectacle and a symbol of values we don’t hold.
‘I will be proud to speak at the Our Republic rally and to stand with others who want to build a more democratic society where power and wealth belongs to the people rather than being passed down as an inheritance.
‘That is just one reason why I support Scottish independence. It will give us the opportunity to ask the big questions about how we are ruled and to build a fairer and more equal society.’
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