ACTIVISTS have staged a protest inside Windsor Castle over the “secrecy” of the royal family.
Members of the anti-monarchy group Republic protested at Windsor Castle at approximately midday on Thursday, when activists unfurled a banner reading “End Royal Secrecy” in front of the Round Tower.
CEO of Republic Graham Smith said the group had chosen to protest at Windsor Castle because it is where the royal archives are “hidden away”.
Any correspondence between government and other public bodies and the royal family are also exempt.
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Smith previously told The National that ending the secrecy surrounding the royal family was essential to unlocking consistent majority support for ending it.
Speaking about the protest on Thursday, Smith said Republic would continue to “demand an end to royal secrecy”.
He went on: “The royals are very secretive. They have persuaded the Government to exempt the monarchy from freedom of information laws.
"The royals keep their wills hidden for decades after one of them dies – while everyone else's is made public. They lobby politicians and government officials, and voters have no idea what they're saying or the impact it has.
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"Experience tells us the royals will fight to protect their secrets at all costs. They know that their archives and correspondence will shock the public.
"That's why royal secrecy is an issue that won’t be solved by reform. The monarchy must be abolished in favour of an accountable, transparent, elected head of state.
"Republic will continue to protest against the monarchy and we will continue to demand an end to royal secrecy."
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