King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla were booed during an official visit to the city of Colchester in eastern England on Tuesday.

The royal couple visited Essex to celebrate its city status, an honorary title awarded to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee in 2022.

In the crowd waiting for them outside Colchester Castle, some anti-monarchy protesters chanted: “Speak to your critics Charles” as Charles and Camilla got out of the car, while others carried signs saying: “He’s not my king.” Sky News, quoted by news.ro.

“Why are you wasting our money?” shouted the crowd. “Don’t you believe in democracy, Charles?”

Both greeted those present, ignoring the protesters.

As the BBC notes, during the visit to the castle, Charles and Camilla met with representatives of several local associations.

The monarch announced the name of the new animal of the Colchester Zoo – Dara the rhinoceros.

As they left, they were booed again, while others sang “God Save the King.”

Charles III is not as popular as his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who ruled the United Kingdom until her death on September 8 at the age of 96.

Since taking office, the new king has been met with hostility, with one protester throwing eggs during the visit.