A woman bared her breasts at Britain’s Prince Charles during a walkabout in New Zealand’s capital on Tuesday while other protesters waved placards reading “death to the monarchy.”
Several hundred cheered the relaxed-looking heir to the throne during a visit to a Wellington art gallery. But a small group heckled the prince through a megaphone, calling him a parasite and demanding he “honor the treaty.”
As the prince moved about the crowd, one woman took off her shirt to reveal “Get your colony shame off my breasts” written on her body.
Earlier, another bare-chested woman carrying a small child was removed shortly before the prince arrived. Police said both women had been charged with disorderly behavior.
It's happened before
The British royal family has been the target of protests on previous visits to New Zealand. In 1983, a Maori activist bared his buttocks to Charles and Princess Diana during a civic walk, in 1986 the Queen was hit by an egg, and in 1990 had a wet T-shirt thrown at her. On both occasions she was attending ceremonies to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.
Alleged breaches of the treaty have been the focus of protests by some Maori, who make up about 15 percent of the population, seeking greater self determination.
The government has settled several multi-million dollar claims in the past two decades to compensate for illegal land confiscations and breaches of the treaty, signed in 1840.
Under the treaty, the British Crown gained sovereignty over New Zealand and in return guaranteed Maori use of their traditional lands and resources.
Charles is midway through a five-day tour of New Zealand, his first since 1994, which has included a visit to an albatross colony as well as shearing a sheep. He leaves for Fiji on Thursday.
