‘Eggs thrown at King Charles by man shouting about blood of slaves’ as protester detained

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A man has been detained by police after appearing to throw eggs at the King and Queen Consort during a walkabout at Micklegate Bar, in York.

The King and Queen Consort are visiting Yorkshire where the monarch will unveil a statue of his mother, the late Queen.

The 23-year-old was heard shouting “this country was built on the blood of slaves” as he was being detained by around four police officers after throwing eggs at the monarch - none of which hit.

The protester also booed the King and Queen Consort as he started to throw the eggs.

The King and Queen Consort were then ushered away as police escorted the man to a police van.

Other people in the crowd started chanting “God save the King” and “shame on you” at the protester.

The man is now in police custody being questioned by North Yorkshire Police on suspicion of a public order offence.

As police were detaining the man, Charles continued with a traditional ceremony which sees the sovereign officially welcomed to the city of York by the Lord Mayor.

It was last carried out by his mother, the Queen, in 2012.

The King appeared unfazed by the commotion as he did a walkabout and greeted some of the crowds.

Charles has spent two days carrying out official engagements, visiting Bradford and Leeds on Tuesday and then York and Doncaster on Wednesday, with Camilla joining him on the second day.

The King and Queen Consort will also attend a service in York Minster, with the monarch unveiling the Platinum Jubilee tribute to Elizabeth II, crafted by Minster stone mason Richard Bossons.

Photos of the incident show half a dozen officers, with a man on the floor, within a crowd greeting the King and Queen Consort at the ceremony where the monarch is traditionally welcomed to the city.

After the statue unveiling in York Minster, the pair will travel to Doncaster, South Yorkshire, to confer its status as a city.

Eight places won coveted city status as part of celebrations for the Queen’s Jubilee.

North Yorkshire Police said a “well-rehearsed” security operation had been in place for the visit to ensure the royal couple’s safety.

Charlotte Bloxham, the force’s silver commander for the operation, said: “I’m pleased to report that the policing operation and the overall wider visit was successful today.

“An enormous amount of planning and preparation goes into visits of this nature. I would like to thank all the officers and staff that supported today’s operation.

“Many partner agencies also assisted us with the planning and execution, and I would also like to extend my thanks to them.

“On behalf of the force, it was a privilege for North Yorkshire Police to welcome the King and Queen Consort to North Yorkshire.”