Protesters claimed they forced the closure of King Charles’ official residence in Edinburgh yesterday in a worrying breach of security.
Nine activists occupied the dining room of the Palace of Holyroodhouse at around 1.15pm.
They said their actions meant an entire wing of the royal household had to be temporarily closed to the public.
The activists, from eco-warrior group This Is Rigged, crossed a security barrier and sat at a table, before eating food from plastic containers and drinking tea from thermoses.
They claimed their demonstration was to call for a price cut on baby formula and the establishment of community feeding centres.
This Is Rigged activists were not bothered by security as they sat in the Holyroodhouse dining room.
Nine activists occupied the dining room of the Palace of Holyroodhouse at around 1.15pm.
Lothian Region Conservative MSP Sue Webber said: “I am concerned about the potential security ramifications, particularly in such an iconic building.”
The Royal News Network social media account wrote: “Security is apparently relaxed at the Palace of Holyroodhouse if protesters… could enter and squat in the dining room.”
Another furious member of the public wrote: ‘Pathetic security. Pick them up, throw them away and accuse them of something.’
The incident comes two years after the Palace of Holyroodhouse announced the need for a security guard.
The selected applicant’s primary duty was to patrol the grounds, control visitor access, and maintain a “safe environment throughout the Palace.”
Protesters were campaigning over the price of baby formula when they attacked King Charles’ residence at the end of the Royal Mile (file image)
Holyroodhouse is the official residence of King Charles in Scotland (file image)
The guard was also expected to respond and report any incidents.
Meanwhile, one of the protesters said yesterday: “I’m taking action because I’m really worried about the future.”
“As the many crises we face continue to worsen, it becomes more evident that those in power are not coming to help, that profits once again reign supreme over people.”
Police Scotland said officers attended but protesters had already left.
The force said no damage was reported but “investigations are ongoing to establish all the circumstances.”