The first official portrait of King Charles III since his coronation has been covered in posters by activists at a London gallery.
Animal Rising campaigners plastered Wallace and Gromit-themed posters onto the new painting of the monarch, which is currently on public display at the Philip Mould Gallery in London, at around midday on Tuesday.
The group shared a video of two of its supporters pasting the face of the animated character Wallace over Charles’s on the painting by Jonathan Yeo. They also stuck on a speech bubble, which read in capitals: “No cheese, Gromit. Look at all this cruelty on RSPCA farms!”
Animal Rising said the action aimed to bring attention to its recent investigation exposing cruelty at 45 RSPCA Assured farms.
Calling on the monarch to suspend his support for the charity until they drop the Assured Scheme, the group said: “The lighthearted action played on the King’s love of Wallace and Gromit and his status as Royal Patron of the RSPCA.”
Animal Rising describes itself as a non-violent, people-powered organisation working towards a sustainable future where humanity shares a positive relationship with animals and nature.
The Independent has approached the RSCPA for comment.
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