Anti-monarchy billboard condemned by MP Knight
Prince labelled ‘climate change hypocrite’ in huge street ad
ABILLBOARD branding Prince William a “climate change hypocrite” has been condemnded by Solihull’s MP.
Conservative MP Julian Knight took to social media to condemn the giant poster, which appeared in Shirley, labelling it a “disgusting attack on the royal family”.
The sign, on the corner of Olton Road and Stratford Road, features a photograph of the future king next to a tick box list of helicopter flights, private jets, multiple huge homes and a personal train.
Underneath are the words “climate change hypocrite” in bold writing and the hashtag EndTheMonarchy.
Mr Knight said he had written to JC Decaux, the company which owns the advertising space, to ask for the banner to be removed immediately, after receiving numerous complaints from residents.
He said: “This is a disgusting attack on the royal family just a few months before the start of the Platinum Jubilee.
“In the year when we saw the passing of the Duke of Edinburgh and on the cusp of marking the jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen, who has shown tireless service to this country, I personally think these anti-monarchs should find a better way of expressing themselves rather than this grubby attack poster in Solihull.
“The fact is that Silhillians are very respectful and thoughtful of Her Majesty the Queen. There’s been a long relationship with Her Majesty and our great town and I can imagine they’ll have utterly no sympathy whatsoever for these individuals who are trying to force their rather strange views attacking a really lovely man.
“A lot of angry residents have contacted us about this, saying how
upset they are that this is being pushed down their throats in this way.
“It’s perfectly fair for them to express their views – write a letter to a newspaper or post in an online forum – but why should people in Solihull have to walk past this attack poster day in, day out?”
The pressure group behind the poster, Republic, which campaigns for the abolition of the monarchy, said: “The cause of tackling climate change is being harmed by royal hypocrisy.
“The royals have been busy lecturing everyone on the need for action on climate change. The hypocrisy is
breathtaking. Senior royals routinely make use of helicopters instead of cars and fly longer distances by private jet.
“And they all maintain multiple large houses that will have an enormous carbon footprint.
“The royals need to be challenged on their do as we say attitude.
“There is no excuse for Prince Charles to fly everywhere by helicopter, or for William to take private jets when he could go by train or scheduled flight.
“And the royals do not need multiple palatial homes. If they want to lecture on climate change they need to start leading by example.
“The royals are clearly worried about what happens after the Queen dies. This is more PR to bolster their credibility and it must be called out for what it is – cynical and hypocritical.
“The billboards are part of a wider campaign that began in August, featuring a range of designs around the UK.”
The Republic spokesperson added: “I’d add that Julian Knight has recently complained about the GB News advertising boycott, calling it ‘cancel culture’.
“It appears he doesn’t mind cancel culture when it’s something he disagrees with.”