Among those arrested was the group’s CEO, Graham Smith, who is a prominent campaigner for an elected head of state to replace the monarch.
The protesters were making their way to the designated protest site at Trafalgar Square when they were apprehended. Footage posted on Twitter showed Mr Smith’s details being taken by a police officer, while another officer can be heard saying: “They are under arrest, end of.”
The police have declined to comment on the reason for the arrests, and it is unclear whether they are using new powers to prevent protests from taking place.
Republic activist Luke Whiting expressed his concern about the arrests, saying: “It is unclear exactly whether the police are using these new powers and whether they are misusing them to stop protests from happening.”
The arrests come amid heightened tensions ahead of the King’s coronation, which is scheduled to take place later this month. The event has drawn criticism from anti-monarchy campaigners, who argue that the monarchy is outdated and undemocratic.
Republic has been at the forefront of the campaign for an elected head of state and has been calling for a referendum on the issue. The group argues that the monarchy is an unelected and unaccountable institution that has no place in a modern democracy.
