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In pictures: Protesting the Diamond Jubilee

Not everyone in the United Kingdom was keen on celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s 60th year on the throne.

Crowds of people gathered in front of London(***)s City Hall to see the queen as she cruised along on the Thames River for the Diamond Jubilee, marking her 60th year on the throne. She is only the second monarch in UK history to have achieved the milestone.
By Mariagrazia Petito Di Leo
Published On 5 Jun 2012

From June 2-5, thousands in the United Kingdom turned out to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee, honouring Queen Elizabeth II’s 60th year on the throne. The queen, now 86 years old, acceded to the throne in 1952 upon the death of her father, King George.

The only other British monarch to have reigned for six decades was Queen Victoria; the UK celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in 1897.

But some British are unhappy with their constitutional monarchy. Republicans argue that the royal family is expensive, undemocratic, and simply archaic. On June 3, a few hundred republicans braved the rainy weather, waving anti-royal signs as the Queen’s flotilla journeyed down the River Thames. See the protest in pictures below:

Despite the fanfare, not all Brits support the monarchy. Above, republican supporters gathered on the banks of the Thames to protest Britain(***)s hereditary system, during the first day of the Diamond Jubilee.
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Republicans say they want a system in which the British people can elect a head of state, instead of having a monarch who rules for life. They also argue that the royal family is too expensive to maintain - especially in today(***)s lean economic times.
Graham Smith, above, is the CEO of RepublicUK. The organisation(***)s website claims that about 10-12 million British citizens, out of a population of roughly 62 million, have republican sympathies.
Both celebrators and protesters of the jubilee turned out despite cold, rainy weather in London.
A family of royal supporters eat lunch of the bank of the River Thames, waiting patiently for Queen Elizabeth to cruise along as part of a royal flotilla numbering more than 1,000 boats.
The flotilla is the largest of its kind since 1662, during the reign of King Charles II.
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Royal supporters wore Union Jack-branded coats to mark the occasion.
Above, two supporters of the Queen mock the republican protesters.
A royal supporter chants a pro-monarchy song in response to the republicans(***) anti-monarchy protest.