King Charles Portrait Vandalized by Animal Rights Group

Less than a month ago, King Charles unveiled his very first official portrait since becoming the King of England—and it has already been defaced. Today, animal rights activists from the group Animal Rising stuck posters inspired by Wallace and Gromit onto the Jonathan Yeo painting, which was on display at Philip Mould Gallery in London. The king's face was obscured by an image of Wallace and the vandals added a speech bubble that read "No Cheese Gromit. Look At All This Cruelty On RSPCA Farms!"

Animal Rising shared a photo of its work on Instagram. The stunt coincided with a new report from the organization, which works to bring attention to sustainability and works toward a future "where humanity shares a positive relationship with animals and nature." The report found that there was "cruelty and suffering" at more than 45 farms associated with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' (RSPCA). Charles is the royal patron of the RSPCA, as was his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

Animal Rising also explained why it incorporated the beloved comic character—and urged the king to distance himself from the RSPCA until it was more transparent about what was happening on those farms.

"The lighthearted action played on the King’s love of Wallace and Gromit and his status as Royal Patron of the RSPCA," Animal Rising said in a statement, according to People. "Animal Rising has called on the King to suspend his support for the charity until they drop the Assured Scheme."

The royal family unveiled the portrait back at Buckingham Palace back on May 14. Since May 16, it has been on display at Philip Mould Gallery, with plans for it to be available for public viewing until June 21. Next, it will be on display at Drapers’ Hall until August.

According to Yeo, when the painting was revealed, Queen Camilla said, “Yes you’ve got him." Charles was reportedly “mildly surprised by the strong color" and Yeo noted that "he seemed to be smiling approvingly” at the work.

The palace hasn't shared how the portrait will be repaired.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qrrSrbClnV6YvK57yqKloGWTna6zuMSsZKmnoqm%2ForXTZq2appSWuarGxJ1kmqaZoq6tedGiqqKml2KFd4KQb25y