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Tuesday, September 13, King Charles III continues his tour of the United Kingdom. After Scotland on Monday, he was in Northern Ireland in Belfast, where cheers were heard at news of the Queen’s death. There is a heavy liability between the Northern Irish separatists and the royal family.
On his first visit as king to Northern Ireland, Charles III was warmly welcomed. He remained in contact with the public for many minutes then crossed Belfast (Ireland) by car, applauded by Northern Irishmen attached to the monarchy. “He is really welcome to the country”says a woman. But in the country, unanimity is only a facade, as the crown continues to divide, after years of armed conflict.
In Belfast, high walls still separate certain republican districts opposed to the monarchy from unionist districts, loyal to the crown. In a republican district, the inhabitants do not recognize the new sovereign. Dan Murphy is the spokesperson for an anti-monarchy party: “We believe that kings, queens, should not exist in the 21st century. It is an archaic institution that we would like to abolish immediately.” According to an April poll, only 30% of the population of Northern Ireland would be in favor of the reunification of the island.