Whatever your views on the monarchy, it would be a bad idea for republicans to hold protests near the wedding of Prince Harry and Megan Markle (Report, 5 May). Royal events such as weddings draw public interest and have the support of much of the nation because they’re usually seen as a heartening stream of colour in an otherwise drab and sometimes gloom-laden world. When the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge married in 2011, it attracted an estimated global audience of more than 2 billion. Fourteen US TV channels were simultaneously broadcasting the nuptials and yet America is a republic, so obviously many viewers wouldn’t have even been monarchists, they just wanted to watch a happy event. Those standing near the royal ceremony with unhappy faces and carrying placards or banners simply risk making themselves look like spoilsports.

Emilie Lamplough

Trowbridge, Wiltshire

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