Will Southampton residents swear allegiance to King Charles?

People around the UK and abroad have been invited to make a public oath to King Charles during his coronation on Saturday, May 6.

This has been met with a mixed response across social media, with many branding the idea of a pledge of allegiance “offensive” and “outdated”.

The pledge in full reads: "I swear that I will pay true allegiance to Your Majesty, and to your heirs and successors according to law. So help me God."

READ MORE: How much will the Coronation cost and who is paying for it?

The Southern Daily Echo took to the streets to ask the people of Southampton their opinions on the King’s coronation and the public pledge of allegiance.

John Sykes, a 62-year-old auditor from Southampton, said: “I’m happy to take part in the pledge of allegiance.

“People are entitled to their own opinions but I am for the monarchy, very much so.”

Southampton resident John Sykes (Image: Jack Boyce)

Colin McShannon MBE and Madeleine McShannon, 73 and 70, who are retired from Perth, Scotland, also favour pleading their allegiance.

Madeleine said: “We’re going on a cruise ship so we will be pledging our allegiance to the King on there.

“We have always liked the royal family, we are right royalists.

“We haven’t got anything special planned because we will be on the cruise but hopefully they’ll put something on for us.”

Colin added: “I’ve been to Buckingham Palace to receive my MBE and it was magnificent, a special place.”

Visitor Larrie McClure (Image: Jack Boyce)

Larrie McClure is a retired 77-year-old visiting Southampton from Florida. He is a self-proclaimed big fan of the royal family.

“We will be on a ship but we will definitely be keeping up to date for sure," he said.

“I’m a coin collector so I can't wait to get some new coins from King Charles.

“I follow the royal family a lot, people back home in Florida take a lot of interest too.”

The coronation and pledge have received a mixed reception online.

READ MORE: Pictures of how we partied at the last coronation

Pressure group Republic has labelled the oath as "offensive, tone-deaf and a gesture that holds the people in contempt".

Some people say the idea of pledging allegiance is a strange one.

Tom Stokes, a 20-year-old gas engineer from Eastleigh, said: “I think the whole thing is a bit bizarre if I’m being honest.

“I won’t be doing the pledge of allegiance thing, I don’t know if I will even watch the coronation to be honest.

“There’s so much more going on in the world that is more important. I couldn’t care less about the royal family.”

Tom Stokes (Image: Jack Boyce)

University students Liam Setrem and Jude Archer echoed the sentiment that the idea of a pledge of allegiance feels a bit bizarre.

Jude said: “It’s all a bit strange isn’t it, It doesn’t feel real to me I find it really weird and old-fashioned.

“I don’t really have any strong feelings about the monarchy either way.”

Liam said: “I actually don’t mind the royal family to be honest with you.

“I think they do some good things for the country.

“But no I won’t be doing the pledge of allegiance like Jude said I find it strange and quite odd.”

READ MORE: Freebies you can claim for the King's coronation from Greggs, Burger King and more

Lucy Kiely, a 54-year-old midwife, said: “I’m not a royalist myself but I respect it's a big deal for people who care about the monarchy.

She added: “I think it's costing way too much.

“I heard about the pledge of allegiance. I think it's a bit much. No, I won't be taking part.”

Norma Parrack a retired 70-year-old from Southampton said: “I'll be watching it on the TV and there will be a big street party.

“Pledging your allegiance is an odd idea to me and I feel a bit uncomfortable about it.”

Rod Rumble (left) and Norma Parrack (Image: Jack Boyce)

Rod Rumble, a retired 82-year-old from Southampton, said: “I wish him (King Charles) well. What I like about him is his honesty.

“I probably won't do the pledge of allegiance because I don’t see myself as accountable to him as a person.

“Overall I don’t think the monarchy is a bad thing but I think it could be pruned down a bit.”