Not My King' mob masses outside of Westminster Abbey: Anti-monarchist protesters rally in London armed with drums and posters saying 'down with the crown' - as Charles misses service during cancer treatment

A large crowd of 'Not My King' protesters have gathered outside Westminster Abbey this afternoon, holding placards and banging drums.

The group was holding signs reading 'down with the crown' and waving flags with the message 'abolish the monarchy' as they lined the street in Central London.

Demonstrators could be heard chanting through megaphones as part of the noisy rally while passersby were forced to weave between protesters.

The scene comes as the Prince of Wales and Queen Camilla were joined by royals this afternoon at the abbey while King Charles III continues to recover from cancer.

While Charles was unable to attend the service in person, he has thanked people for their 'wonderfully kind and thoughtful good wishes' over his cancer diagnosis in a video address to be played at Westminster Abbey. 

A large crowd of 'Not My King' protesters have gathered outside Westminster Abbey this afternoon, holding placards and banging drums

The group was holding signs reading 'Down with the crown' as they lined the street in Central London

Demonstrators can be heard chanting through megaphones as part of the noisy rally 

While Charles was unable to attend the service in person, he has thanked people for their 'wonderfully kind and thoughtful good wishes' over his cancer diagnosis in a video address to be played at Westminster Abbey

In a royal first, he recorded an address that will be played to the congregation, reflecting on the journey the Commonwealth has made since its inception in 1949.

Earlier today the Princess of Wales admitted to editing a family portrait of herself sitting with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, released on Mother's Day.

The world's major photo agencies decided to 'kill' the picture after noticing signs of digital editing, including a missing part of Princess Charlotte's sleeve and the misaligned edge of her wrist and skirt, and the positioning of Kate's zip.

This morning the Princess of Wales gave an apology on social media. 

She said: 'Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day.' 

She signed it 'C' - for Catherine.

Kate was later spotted alongside Prince William leaving Windsor Castle as she made her way to a private appointment. 

Meanwhile, her husband was seen laughing with Queen Camilla as the duo led the royals at today's Commonwealth Day Service in King Charles's absence.

The heir to the throne and the Queen were joined by royals this afternoon including Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey.

As the King continues to recover from cancer, he recorded a special video message to mark the occasion which was broadcast at the ceremony in Central London. 

Announcing today's protest, X account '@NoKingCharlie' posted: 'No sanctuary for anyone...Happening Now...Westminster Abbey...Nearest tube. Westminster #Commonwealth #KateGate #NotMyKing'

The protesters were also waving flags with the message 'Abolish the monarchy' 

Passersby were forced to weave between protesters as they lined the streets by the abbey

Today's demonstration (pictured) mirrors protests seen at King Charles's coronation last year

The large crowd with yellow banners and flags stood outside the abbey while the ceremony marking 75 years of the Commonwealth took place inside 

Prince William leaves Windsor for Westminster Abbey this afternoon with his wife the Princess of Wales next to him

Kate was seen looking out of the window of the car as William looked like he was reading notes

Kensington Palace yesterday released the first picture of the Princess of Wales since surgery

Kate also posted the apology on the Prince and Princess of Wales' Instagram account

In Charles's absence, the family is being led by the Queen, William and an extended roster of royals including the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Anne, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent.

The King's video was filmed last month at Windsor Castle, one of the places where His Majesty has been recuperating.

He refers to the origins of the Commonwealth in the network of countries that once formed the British Empire, saying: 'The 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth is a moment to reflect on the remarkable journey our unique family of free and independent nations has made since 1949.

'Last year, the Bahamas celebrated its 50th anniversary of Independence, as Grenada has this year, and Papua New Guinea will next year.

'Each of these milestones – and many others like them – represent the fulfilment of countless aspirations and the achievement of such remarkable potential.

'And the Commonwealth's growth, with new members continuing to join our family of nations, demonstrates clearly that whilst we may not all have a shared history, we have common ambitions for a better future – working together to build resilience and respond to global challenges.'

In what many will interpret as a veiled reference to colonialism and slavery, the King referenced 'inequalities and injustices' of the past 'which still resonate today' and urged member nations to continue to 'find ways of healing'.

Referring to climate change, the loss of nature and the social and economic changes new technologies are bringing, he said: 'Our diversity means that these challenges affect us all differently and that we experience their impacts in different ways.

Queen Camilla and Prince William share a giggle as they lead the royals at Westminster Abbey

Queen Camilla and Prince William have arrived at the Commonwealth Day service in King Charles' absence

'Their seriousness, however, is common to each one of us. All of this means that we must work together to understand each other's perspectives, including the inequalities and injustices which still resonate to this day.

'We must find ways of healing, and to support each other to pursue solutions. I cannot say often enough that it is by coming together that we create the best chances to improve our world and the lives of people everywhere.'

The King concludes: 'In recent weeks, I have been most deeply touched by your wonderfully kind and thoughtful good wishes for my health and, in return, can only continue to serve you, to the best of my ability, throughout the Commonwealth.'

Announcing today's protest, X account '@NoKingCharlie' posted: 'No sanctuary for anyone...Happening Now...Westminster Abbey...Nearest tube. Westminster #Commonwealth #KateGate #NotMyKing'

Last year 'Not My King' protesters were arrested during the King's coronation, including Republic's megaphone-wielding chief executive Graham Smith.

Prince William is pictured arriving at Westminster Abbey without his wife, the Princess of Wales

Prince Edward and Princess Sophie are seen arriving at the Commonwealth Day service

Group director Harry Stratton, who witnessed the arrest of his six colleagues, denied any megaphones or locking chains were being carried or seized, and that they hadn't broken any rules laid out by the force in a series of meetings - which included not mentioning Prince Andrew and the sex claims against him, which he denies.

Mr Stratton accused police of 'intentionally picking them out', while another campaigner claimed straps holding their placards had been 'misconstrued' as something that could be used for locking on.

Scotland Yard later expressed 'regret' over the arrests of the protesters ahead of the coronation after being threatened with legal action when no charges were brought.