King Charles III’s portrait vandalised by vegans as monarch launches Sandringham burgers

King Charles’ official portrait was defaced by vegans after the launch of his ‘farm to fork’ burger menu. Watch video.

Vegan activists have vandalised the first official portrait of King Charles III since his coronation by plastering it in Wallace and Gromit posters.

Campaigners from Animal Rising marched up to the painting and pasted the posters onto the ‘red’ painting hung at the Philip Mould Gallery in London, around midday on Tuesday, local time.

Vandalised: King Charles’ Red Portrait by Jonathan Yeo https://t.co/QfV5kNq3F6@PhilipMouldFans@philipmould@jonathanyeo#kingcharlesportrait#redportraitpic.twitter.com/vvSWO2fmSh

— Artlyst (@Artlyst) June 11, 2024

The activists claimed responsibility for the act, posting a video of two of its supporters pasting the face of the animated character Wallace over Charles’s controversial painting by Jonathan Yeo.

They glued a cartoon speech bubble onto the canvass, which read: “No cheese, Gromit. Look at all this cruelty on RSPCA farms!”

A statement from the group said they had chosen to “redecorate” the portrait of the King in Philip Mould gallery to bring attention to animal cruelty and Animal Rising’s “damning investigation” into 45 RSPCA “assured” farms, the group said.

The King is royal patron of the RSPCA and Animal Rising called on the monarch to suspend his support for the charity.

Buckingham Palace has remained tight-lipped about the attack with insiders saying it did not want to give wind to activists’ sails.

The protesters played on the monarch’s love of animated characters Wallace and Gromit for maximum publicity saying they hoped the royal found their stunt “amusing.”

Activist Daniel Juniper posted on X: “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.

Artist Jonathan Yeo and King Charles III stand in front of the portrait of the King Charles III, which has since been vandalised in the gallery where it hangs. Picture: Getty Images

“Even though we hope this is amusing to His Majesty, we also call on him to seriously reconsider if he wants to be associated with the awful suffering across farms being endorsed by the RSPCA.

“Charles has made it clear he is sensitive to the suffering of animals in UK farms; now is the perfect time for him to step up and call on the RSPCA to drop the Assured Scheme and tell the truth about animal farming.”

Protestors covered the official portrait of King Charles III with the face of the eccentric, cheese-loving animation character Wallace to campaign for better animal welfare on farms. Picture: Animal Rising / AFP

The blood red portrait, which some describe as “satanic”, is exhibited at the gallery until next Friday.

Police say they will not be taking action against protestors because no direct damage had been inflicted on the painting and the gallery “did not wish to report a crime.”

“The protestors were asked by staff to leave following the incident, which they did.

“The gallery did not wish to report a crime and as such there is no further action by police.”

‘FARM TO FORK’: ORGANIC BURGER MENU AT SANDRINGHAM

It comes as the King launched a new menu at Sandringham’s royal restaurant featuring £14.50 ($A28) burgers.

It is unclear if the two events are related.

The monarch’s menu offers a “farm to fork” experience with a range of burgers at Sandringham Restaurant, including homemade lamb, beef and venison burgers at the family restaurant on the royal estate.

Members of the public can tuck into burgers served with chips, coleslaw, and a pint of Sandringham IPA or Golden Bitter, made with spring barley from the King’s farmland.

There is also a plate of three mini burgers for £16.50 (A$32). Find out what else you can order and how to visit here.

Sandringham Restaurant, which is on the royal estate in Norfolk, is offering a “farm to fork” burger-centric menu at the King’s behest. Picture: David Goddard/Getty Images

Lamb burgers are served with tzatziki dip in a brioche bun, while the venison has mango chutney and the beef burgers have an ale chutney, reports The Sun.

The estate’s restaurant, in Norfolk, said: “Sandringham Farms manage 2,400 hectares of land and eight tenants farm 4,000 hectares.

“Producing organic meat and a range of crops ensures a quality that remains local and minimises our food miles.”

‘HE WON’T SLOW DOWN': CHARLES’S HECTIC SCHEDULE CONTINUES

Meanwhile, Queen Camilla has shared some insight into her royal husband.

The Queen, 76, revealed His Majesty is “doing fine except he won’t slow down and won’t do what he’s told”.

The Queen was speaking with author Lee Child at the time during the second annual Queen’s Reading Room Literary Festival at Hampton Court Palace in Surrey.

The Jack Reacher writer, 69, added that it “sounds to me like a typical husband”.

King Charles III speaks to former footballer David Beckham as they attend the inaugural King's Foundation charity awards at St James's Palace in London. England. Picture: Getty Images

His Majesty shows no sign of slowing down, with a full schedule this week including

meeting his new charity ambassador David Beckham at Buckingham Palace.

The soccer star has recently been unveiled as an ambassador for the King’s Foundation - after bonding with Charles over a fondness of homegrown honey.

Former England star Beckham, rocker Sir Rod Stewart and the King united at the inaugural star-laced King’s Foundation Awards.

King Charles III, right, shakes hands with British pop icon Rod Stewart as they attend the inaugural King's Foundation charity awards at St James's Palace in London. Picture: Getty Images

The King was in his element as he celebrated students, alumni and charity partners for his first ever foundation awards’ night at London’s St James’s Palace and at one moment was seen leaning in to receive an affectionate kiss on the cheek from Stewart’s ex-model wife, Lady Penny Lancaster.

The King, who is receiving treatment for cancer, put aside any signs of fatigue to rub shoulders with actress Sienna Miller, Vogue editor Edward Enninful, model Naomi Campbell, chef Raymond Blanc and beloved British greenie Alan Titchmarsh before handing out awards.

King Charles III embraces Penny Lancaster during the inaugural awards at St James' Palace, in central London. Picture: AFP

Royalist Beckham, who was announced as an ambassador for the King’s Foundation, couldn’t wipe the grin from his face at the glitzy affair – which was held hours after the King’s first portrait as monarch was defaced at a London gallery.

The awards ceremony is inspired by the King’s love of nature and aimed at celebrating inspirational students, teachers, alumni and partners of his foundation which provides educational courses as well as championing regeneration projects.

King Charles III poses with the presenters of the inaugural King's Foundation charity of the awards at St James's Palace in London, England. Picture: Getty Images

The charity - which was first founded by the King when he was Prince of Wales in 1990 – encourages learning and entrepreneurship across the arts, textiles, rural skills, health and wellbeing.

There are nine award categories, with the event culminating in The King Charles III Harmony Award, a special accolade recognising an individual's long-term dedication to the Foundation's mission.