The Prince of Wales confronted by demonstrators, slips out through back door as protests disrupt Cape Town visit.
Prince William faced a tense moment during his South Africa tour when anti-monarchy protesters confronted him at Kalk Bay in Cape Town, forcing him to make a swift exit through a back door. The Prince of Wales was ambushed by a vocal group shouting, “Go home now!” as he approached the venue, reported GB News’s Royal Correspondent.
While the Prince has received mostly positive reception throughout his four-day visit, the incident highlighted the underlying tensions surrounding his presence in the country. On Thursday, protesters holding signs such as "William, you have no sovereignty in our country" voiced their opposition as the future King participated in engagements leading up to the Earthshot Prize Awards 2024.
Despite the disruption, the Prince continued with his planned activities, focusing on environmental initiatives and meeting with local conservationists. However, the criticism underscored the complexities of his visit, which also faced scrutiny for not including stops in South Africa’s disadvantaged townships.
Princess Kate did not accompany William on the tour, opting to stay in the UK with their children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—who reportedly watched the Earthshot ceremony from Windsor.
The protests did not deter the high-profile ceremony held the night before, where William walked the green carpet amid cheers and applause, marking a successful conclusion to his environmental advocacy efforts in South Africa despite the mounting opposition.
