Communists tailed before coronation of George VI

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, October 22, 2026

Ahead of King George VI's 1937 coronation, MI5 monitored the Communist Party’s planned campaign to distribute up to one million anti-monarchist leaflets, though the party instructed members to avoid overt disruptions. The documents reveal the party’s effort to balance its opposition to the monarchy with cautious tactics to maintain public support during a major national event.

In the lead-up to the coronation of King George VI on May 12, 1937, British security service MI5 closely monitored Communist Party activists amid concerns they might attempt to disrupt the ceremony. Newly released files from the National Archives reveal that the Communist Party prepared an extensive propaganda campaign, including printing one million anti-monarchist leaflets scheduled for distribution during coronation week.

Despite the party’s strong anti-royalist stance, members were cautioned to moderate their actions and rhetoric to avoid alienating a public that was largely supportive of the monarchy. An MI5 report from April 1937 pointed to internal party debates, noting that a comrade in Manchester was “severely censured” for proposing a series of demonstrations, with officials warning such activities would “play into the hands of the fascists and police.” Instead of public protests, many party branches planned “charabanc drives” into the countryside but were encouraged to use these opportunities to spread their anti-monarchist message discreetly.

The party also advised members to be wary of provoking their neighbors and to oppose what it described as “unnecessary expenditure” on public celebrations such as street demonstrations and official banquets. However, this caution was not universally observed; one Communist Party member in Poplar, east London, was reportedly heard denouncing the coronation as “all this coronation ballyhoo over the crowning of the biggest dumb-head that ever sat on a throne,” reflecting the sharp criticism voiced by some within the movement.

King George VI ascended to the throne during a turbulent period for the British monarchy, following the abdication of his brother Edward VIII in December 1936, after Parliament refused to permit Edward’s marriage to American divorcee Wallis Simpson. The coronation itself proceeded without incident and was attended by members of the royal family as well as prime ministers from nearly all the Crown dominions, underscoring the British Empire's extensive reach. Notably, it was the first British coronation to be filmed.

The Communist Party's activities during this period also intersected with wider international struggles, as it played a significant role in recruiting volunteers for the International Brigades in the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939), where left-wing Republicans fought against nationalist forces supported by Nazi Germany.

Overall, the newly disclosed documents highlight the balancing act faced by the Communist Party between promoting its anti-monarchist agenda and managing public perception, while British authorities remained vigilant against any potential disruptions during a landmark royal event.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.