While the King was being toured around The Gate, which supports people facing homelessness and families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, The National was out in the town to hear what the people thought about him.
There were two separate camps of Scots waiting to catch a glimpse of the King, one which was somewhat enthusiastic at the monarch’s visit directly across the food bank, while another full of protesters stationed much further down the street.
At the end outside the food bank, a group of people had braved a cold start to Thursday morning to get their place near the front of a barrier to see Charles.
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“He’s not like the Queen, but it would still be nice to meet him.” one of the ladies told me.
While another chimed in: “Some folk don’t really like him, but he’s still the King after all.” They added: “When was the last time any of them [royal family] were here, you have to come see them.”
Heather was one of many young families which made the trip down to see the King as she said, “why not, it’s not every day they are here”.
When asked what she thought about him visiting a food bank the mum of two said: “I do think it is a shame he’s visiting the food bank, I do think they should do more.”
(Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire)
Heather’s sentiment was shared by a few who were gathered around her, who believed the King could certainly do more to help.
Further down from the 100-odd people gathered to see Charles, there were around a dozen protesters, who were determined to make themselves heard.
Elaine (below) was one of those protesting the King’s visit to Alloa as she said he has the “cheek” to tour a food bank when he has “all that money”.
(Image: NQ)
“It’s an absolute heinous atrocity that children and families and mums and everybody have to use a food bank,” she said.
Elaine, with the other protesters holding placards and banners which read “not my King”, were positioned behind multiple barricades and a well-placed truck with cones at the back to block their sight.
Amongst the protesters, the feeling was that the visit was merely a “PR stunt” and that the money used for the police and a helicopter that transported him to the town in a nearby park would have been better spent as a donation to The Gate.
“I think it’s terrible that in 2025 that we have food banks,” Lorraine, another protester said, while Scott added: “It’s just laughable, really, it’s a ridiculous situation.”
(Image: NQ)
He added: “In a way what you’ve got to say it’s not Prince Charles as an individual, but we really are objecting to it.
“It’s the whole situation of what the monarchy represents more than anything else.”
Meanwhile Sarah, who is the director of Salvo, said: “How much has this stunt cost, the helicopters, the police, council arrangements, how much do you think that might have cost?
“I have no clue.
“But let me tell you, most of the food banks in Scotland are struggling and that’s in a country where we shouldn’t be having food banks at all with the wealth that’s sloshing around.
She added: “People shouldn’t be going to food banks.
“They are a symbol and an expression of total desperation and this publicity stunt for an English monarch.”