'No cheese, Gromit': Animal activists vandalise King Charles III's first official portrait. Watch!
King Charles portrait defaced
Animal rights activists in the UK, on Tuesday (June 12), defaced the portrait of British King Charles III. This was his first official portrait since he ascended to the throne.
The activists covered his face with an image of the animated character 'Wallace' from the "Wallace and Gromit" series, along with a speech bubble that read: "No cheese, Gromit. Look at all this cruelty on RSPCA farms!".
Who is behind the act?
Campaign group Animal Rising has taken responsibilityfor this act which was aimed at protesting animal welfare standards on farms certified by the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), an animal charity of which Charles is a patron.
Footage released by Animal Rising show two supporters entering London's Philip Mould gallery and covering the king's face on the portrait with the cartoon image and adding the speech bubble.
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
National Handloom Day 2026: From Alia Bhatt to Samantha Ruth Prabhu; Actresses who celebrated India's textile heritage as brides
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Reels vs Results: Why political messaging alone won't win over India's young voters
)
Major relief for TN CM Vijay as wife Sangeetha withdraws infidelity and divorce petition
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How many soldiers operate one S-400 battery?
)
Russia forms Ukrainian Volunteer Spetsnaz Brigade to fight Ukraine
)
‘Fake news’: MEA rejects report claiming India sought defence pact with Israel after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey deal
)
Ukrainian astronomers see gargantuan objects dashing at 39,600 kmph on the Moon - 'They can reach Earth in 20 minutes'
)
Secret weapon test blamed for US plane crash that killed four | Gravitas
)
Drug-resistant fungus that hides in hair and enters bloodstream reported in 23 US states
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
Border row erupts in Europe after Ceuta crossings, Spain imposes border controls on Italy
)
Morale plummets on USS Abraham Lincoln: Are US sailors reaching a breaking point? | GRAVITAS
)
Technology transfer deal boosts India's defence manufacturing ambitions
)
'Security can't be bought with Pakistan, Turkey deal': Iran tells Saudi Arabia
)
Mithun Chakraborty undergoes surgery in Kolkata hospital; Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visits
)
Primetime trailer: Robert Pattinson channels Chris Hansen in A24's dark crime thriller
)
Lightning bolt strikes football field in Thailand, killing a player during a match
)
US loses 23,000 jobs in July as labour market slowdown deepens
)
Thailand teen killed grandparents before shooting teachers at school – What we know about suspect
)
US-China Trade War Escalates | Beijing Targets American Entities and Drone Exports
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (August 7, 2026): Operation Safed Sagar, Vadhandhi, Main Vaapis Aaunga- 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
The genetic roots of Tamils: 75,000 DNA markers decoded in latest study of Sangam-era settlement
)
Pentagon releases new batch of 41 UFO files, including videos and images
)
Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth scripts history as Indian Air Force gets its first woman ‘Top Gun’ pilot
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI doesn't need external fuel tanks to fly vast distances
)
US Senate passes sweeping Russia Sanctions Bill targeting energy revenue
)
India officially names 27 places in Arunachal to counter China's renaming claims
)
Double manifestation of glowing orb in Colorado spawns theories - Mind reading orb or balloon?
)
France offers deal for 114 Rafale fighter jets, with 94 to be made in India
)
Fact Check: Did Obama spend $376 million to build a basketball court at the White House?
)
Chilling video shows students take cover as teen opens fire at Thai school
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI is one of the heaviest fighters ever built
The activists intended to draw attention to what they perceive as cruelty on RSPCA "Assured" farms, which are supposed to adhere to higher welfare standards.
Daniel Juniper, one of the activists involved in the portrait protest, expressed his rationale in a statement on the group's website. He said, "With King Charles being such a big fan of Wallace and Gromit, we couldn't think of a better way to draw his attention to the horrific scenes on RSPCA Assured farms."
He urged the king to "seriously reconsider if he wants to be associated with the awful suffering across farms being endorsed by the RSPCA."
What did the RSPCA say about this?
The RSPCA has responded with disapproval of the act.In a statement, the animal welfare organisation said that they are "shocked by this vandalism of His Majesty King, our Patron's, portrait."
A spokesperson for the organisation said that while they"welcomescrutiny",they "cannot condone illegal activity of any kind."
The charity emphasised that it takes allegations regarding its certified farms seriously.
A pattern emerges: Art vs Activism
This latest incident is part of a series of similar incidentsof activists targeting artwork in Britain. Recent acts include climate protesters attempting to damage the Magna Carta in the British Library and throwing soup on Vincent van Gogh's "Sunflowers" at London's National Gallery.
Buckingham Palace, as per Reuters, has declined to comment on the incident.
Meanwhile, Animal Rising has assured that their posters could be removed without damaging the portrait.
(With inputs from agencies)
