Republic, which wants an elected head of state, said late on Saturday that its chief executive Graham Smith was released, some 16 hours after he was first detained.

He was one of more than 50 people held using new powers rushed into law this week by the UK government to crack down on protests by direct action groups.

London’s Metropolitan Police has been criticised for making the arrests, which included volunteers of a local women’s safety team that the force supports.

Last month, the Daily Mail newspaper claimed that protesters were planning to throw rape alarms to spook horses taking part in the parade, which included military bands.

The newspaper also said climate change activists from the Just Stop Oil group were planning to disrupt the event.

Just Stop Oil members were among those picked up on Saturday.

Republic’s Smith, who last week told reporters he and other members had no plans to disrupt the procession. The protest went ahead, with opponents waving “Not My King” placards and booing.

“Make no mistake. There is no longer a right to peaceful protest in the UK,” Smith tweeted.

“I have been told many times the monarch is there to defend our freedoms. Now our freedoms are under attack in his name.”

Human rights groups likened the arrests to those in authoritarian states but police defended their tactics, claiming it was “proportionate… in line with relevant legislation” after public concern.

London has been repeatedly targeted in recent years by direct action groups.

Hardline interior minister Suella Braverman promised police more powers to stop protesters using “guerilla tactics”.

“The portrait of The King will appear on existing designs of all four polymer banknotes (£5, £10, £20 and £50), with no other changes to the existing designs,” the central bank said.

“The King’s image will appear on the front of the banknotes, as well as in cameo in the see-through security window.”

Charles, 74, became king after the death in September of his mother Queen Elizabeth II.

The first coins bearing his likeness entered circulation earlier this month, the Royal Mint has previously announced.

The new banknotes feature an engraved portrait of Charles based on a photograph owned by the royal household and made available in 2013, the Bank of England told.

The design was “finalised in the recent months” and approved by the king, it noted, with the notes to be mass-produced from the first half of 2023.

Current polymer banknotes — which have been gradually replacing paper money in the UK since 2016 — carrying the queen’s portrait will remain legal tender which can continue to be used.

The new notes will only be printed to replace worn predecessors and to meet any overall increase in demand, the central bank said, adding that would minimise the environmental and financial impact of the change.

That means from mid-2024 onwards, notes featuring both monarchs will co-circulate.

“I am very proud that the Bank is releasing the design of our new banknotes which will carry a portrait of King Charles III,” its governor Andrew Bailey said in a statement.

“This is a significant moment, as The King is only the second monarch to feature on our banknotes.”

In his first major speech to a foreign leader on the throne, South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, the new monarch said on Tuesday night in Buckingham Palace that aspects of the relationship between the two countries “provoked profound sorrow” but called for future cooperation.

According to Daily Mail UK, His Majesty has continued to push to keep the Commonwealth together, amid growing calls in some of its member nations to ditch the monarchy for good.

Earlier this year he also expressed his sadness about the UK’s role in the slave trade, telling Commonwealth leaders, “I cannot describe the depths of my personal sorrow at the suffering of so many as I continue to deepen my own understanding of slavery’s enduring impact.”

In his remarks to Ramaphosa, the King said he remained committed to ensuring Britain acknowledges “the wrongs which have shaped our past.”

He made the speech at a state banquet which had been held to mark the two-day state visit by Ramaphosa and the South African delegation.

Members of the South African contingent were met by the likes of the King and Queen Consort  as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales.

A total of 163 people, including senior politicians from both countries were present at the banquet.

King Charles says monarchy will tackle legacy of colonialism

The King of England, King Charles II, has said his monarchy will tackle the legacy of colonialism associated with the throne.

In his first major speech to a foreign leader on the throne, South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, the new monarch said on Tuesday night in Buckingham Palace that aspects of the relationship between the two countries “provoked profound sorrow” but called for future cooperation.

According to Daily Mail UK, His Majesty has continued to push to keep the Commonwealth together, amid growing calls in some of its member nations to ditch the monarchy for good.

Earlier this year he also expressed his sadness about the UK’s role in the slave trade, telling Commonwealth leaders, “I cannot describe the depths of my personal sorrow at the suffering of so many as I continue to deepen my own understanding of slavery’s enduring impact.”

In his remarks to Ramaphosa, the King said he remained committed to ensuring Britain acknowledges “the wrongs which have shaped our past.”

He made the speech at a state banquet which had been held to mark the two-day state visit by Ramaphosa and the South African delegation.

Members of the South African contingent were met by the likes of the King and Queen Consort  as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales.

A total of 163 people, including senior politicians from both countries were present at the banquet.

The 50p coin is the first piece of new money that features the new monarch and will begin circulating in December.

The King’s portrait will first begin appearing on a special £5 Crown as well as on 50p coins that commemorate the Queen, MyLondon reports.

Nicola Howell, chief commercial officer at the Royal Mint said: “We expect customers will start to be able to receive the commemorative range from October and then we expect the 50p memorial circulating coin to be appearing in people’s change probably from December.”

Martin Jennings sculptured the King’s effigy which the Mint said has been personally approved by Charles.

Chris Barker from the Royal Mint Museum said: “Charles has followed that general tradition that we have in British coinage, going all the way back to Charles II actually, that the monarch faces in the opposite direction to their predecessor.”

He described the portrait as: “Dignified and graceful, which reflects his years of service”.

The Latin inscription surrounding the effigy reads: “• CHARLES III • D • G • REX • F • D • 5 POUNDS • 2022” which translates to: “King Charles III, by the Grace of God, Defender of the Faith”.

Anne Jessopp, chief executive officer of the Royal Mint, said: “The Royal Mint has been trusted to make coins bearing the monarch’s effigy for over 1,100 years and we are proud to continue this tradition into the reign of King Charles III.

Although technology has progressed, we continue to honour British craftsmanship passed down through the centuries.

Our team of skilled modellers, tool makers and engravers will ensure that the King’s effigy will be faithfully replicated onto millions of coins.

“Her Late Majesty ruled with heart and devotion for 70 years, and this memorial collection commemorates her remarkable legacy as Britain’s longest-serving monarch.

“To ensure everyone can hold a piece of history in their hand, the 50p will also enter circulation in the UK.”

Llewellyn-Jones made this known on Tuesday during a news conference following the death of Queen Elizabeth II who passed on September 8, and the ascension of the new King, Charles III.

He said that King Charles III was vested in Nigeria personally, noting that he shared the common interest and passion the Queen had for the country.

“The king had visited Nigeria four times since 1990 with his recent visit coming in 2018 and this showed that he has a strong relationship with Nigeria personally.

“During his last visit, he personally enjoyed the visit as he met with different people from the youths to traditional rulers. It is important to note that the relationship between the UK and Nigeria has been great and King Charles III will further strengthen the bilateral relationship between both countries.

There are Africans in the cabinet of the UK noticeably, a Nigerian is the secretary of state for International trade, so this will further expand our relationship in terms of economy and volume of trade,” he said.

Llewellyn-Jones said, “the King would bring something different and new”, adding, ”every monarch has his own ways of operating.

“King Charles waited for a long time and during that time, he understudied the queen and I’m sure he learnt a lot from her and he would continue with that.

“Every monarch brings something fresh to the role and he would make fresh light to the commonwealth,” he said.

Llewellyn-Jones noted that the commission in Lagos would not attend the burial in the UK, saying that it would follow it closely.

He added that the funeral would be televised across West Africa.