Members of the royal family have been confronted by two separate protests during Edinburgh's Royal Week.

Yesterday, during the royal garden party at Holyroodhouse, activists unfurled a banner on a nearby hill reading 'Cut the Half Billion Royal Budget' in view of the royals and other guests.

Earlier today, local anti-monarchy activists staged a protest against the royal family outside the Order of the Thistle ceremony, opposite St Giles' Cathedral.

A large cohort of protestors chanted and held placards reading 'What did you know?' in reference to suggestions of a palace cover-up regarding allegations against Andrew.

The protests, organised by the anti-monarchy group Republic, highlighted public dismay surrounding royal finances and their handling of the Andrew scandal.

Speaking for Republic, Graham Smith said:

"I'm proud of our campaigners and activists who get out there and make sure the message is heard loud and clear. We are not a nation of royalists."

"There seem to be even more reasons to abolish the monarchy each week."

"Last week, they revealed their costs are going up again in the royal finances report. Compound this with their complicity in the Andrew scandal and it's no wonder their support is cratering."

"Only 45% of the country now support retaining the monarchy. That's massive - we are on the path to abolition, plain and simple."

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