Eco-Activists Deliver Pink Postbox to Windsor Castle in Climate Plea

Environmental activists staged a unique demonstration in Windsor, delivering a vibrant pink postbox filled with climate action letters to King Charles III. The event, organized by Extinction Rebellion, took place approximately two years ago, drawing attention to the urgent need for action against climate change.

Over 500 participants marched through Windsor's center, causing temporary traffic disruptions. The pink postbox, symbolizing the urgency of their message, contained handwritten appeals from diverse age groups, imploring the monarch to address the escalating climate crisis.

The postbox featured apocalyptic "collection times," highlighting potential consequences of climate inaction, such as food scarcity and rising floodwaters. Protesters carried banners quoting King Charles' own words from a 2014 speech, where he called for a "revolution" to protect the Earth.

"This is a call for revolution. The earth is under threat. Revolution is a strong word and I use it deliberately."

This demonstration occurred at Windsor Castle, the world's oldest and largest occupied castle, which has been a royal residence for over nine centuries. The castle's rich history, including surviving a major fire in 1992, stands in stark contrast to the future environmental concerns raised by the protesters.

Participants represented various backgrounds and professions. A financial services worker from the Midlands emphasized the diverse group of individuals who had written to the King. Meanwhile, an NHS employee highlighted the connection between the ecological crisis and public health concerns.

The protest incorporated symbolic elements, including Morris dancers performing near Queen Victoria's statue and a figure of a yellow owl atop the postbox. Morris dancing, an English folk tradition dating back to the 15th century, added a cultural dimension to the environmental message.

Simultaneously, an unauthorized assembly took place on the Long Walk in Windsor Great Park, a 2.65-mile-long avenue managed by the Crown Estate. This "Massembly" provided a platform for participants to share ideas on addressing the climate crisis.

The demonstration was part of a two-day protest, which included an unauthorized encampment in Windsor Home Park. On the previous day, activists had staged a symbolic "oil slick" performance, with figures dressed in black moving solemnly towards the castle gates.

This event occurred shortly after King Charles III's ascension to the throne, highlighting the ongoing expectation for royal involvement in environmental issues. The protesters' actions reflect a growing global concern about climate change, a concept that gained significant attention in the late 2010s.

As the Royal Standard flies over Windsor Castle when the monarch is in residence, the protesters hoped their message would reach King Charles III directly, urging him to use his influential position to advocate for meaningful climate action.