Anti-monarchy group Republic have staged a demonstration at Trooping the Colour this morning, despite having restrictions imposed on them by the Met Police yesterday.The annual military ceremony, which marks the reigning monarch’s official birthday, has become a regular focus for demonstrations by Republic activists in recent years.Today’s occasion features over 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians from the Household Division.As thousands of supporters lined the streets and flooded The Mall hoping to get a glimpse of the royals, a small group of protesters made their presence known.A group of people could be seen holding up a placard that read “Down with the Crown”.In addition, protesters held two photographs of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. One depicted him in conversation with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, believed to be taken while on a walk in Central Park, New York.The second, which was released as part of the Epstein Files earlier this year, shows Andrew appearing to be on all fours and kneeling over an unidentified female, who was on the floor.Footage shared online by the campaign group shows protesters booing and shouting “Not my King” as the King and Queen passed them on The Mall.The monarch could be seen waving at the crowds as he passed.Anti-monarchy group Republic have staged a demonstration at Trooping the Colour this morning | GETTYFootage shared online by the campaign group shows protesters booing and shouting ‘Not my King’ as the King and Queen passed them on The Mall | X: REPUBLICSTAFFThe protests today went ahead despite restrictions imposed by the Metropolitan Police on Friday.”To ensure tomorrow’s Trooping the Colour passes off without serious disruption and with minimal disturbance to horses at the event, we have imposed conditions on those taking part in the Republic protest,” the force said.Republic responded, saying they have “a strong track record of peaceful and lawful protest” and slammed the Met Police for imposing “draconian restrictions” on their demonstration.”Commander Claire Smart has claimed there is a risk to property and personal safety to justify her draconian restriction,” the group said.”This is despite Republic peacefully protesting at Trooping the Colour before without incident.”Republic staged a similar protest at last year’s Trooping the Colour parade | GETTYGraham Smith, CEO of Republic, said: “Claire Smart should be ashamed of herself. This is a clear abuse of power aimed at keeping legitimate opposition away from the royals.”He continued: “The Met Police are implicated in questions about who knew what and when about Andrew [Mountbatten-Windsor].”Yet still the police step in to protect the royals.”We took the initiative in telling the police about our plans, to allay any concerns they may have. They responded by forcing us to protest back away from the fence line and away from the subject of our protest.”The protest will go ahead. We will be taking legal advice about how to proceed so we can stop the police from arbitrarily blocking legitimate protest.”Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has denied any wrongdoing.Republic described this year’s demonstrations as “good-natured and a lot of fun”. They began to congregate on The Mall from 8.30am.The group claim the royals “hijack” Trooping the Colour to “remain relevant,” with the iconic balcony shots putting “privilege and birth above merit and democracy”.