Buckingham Palace has requested that an image of Queen Elizabeth wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat be removed from the side of a campaign bus.
Queen Elizabeth
According to Buzzfeed News, a Palace spokesperson confirmed that they are aware of the doctored image being used on the side of a bus promoting Donald Trump’s re-election, and have made a formal request asking for its removal.
The spokesperson told the site that “representations asking for removal (of the photograph) have been made”.
Other recognisable names who have doctored images on the bus include late fellow former president Ronald Regan in a “Trump” baseball cap, and actor Sylvester Stallone, in arguably his best-known role as boxer Rocky Balboa, with Trump’s head superimposed onto Rocky’s body.
The bus, which is called the 'Trump Train' is owned by Trump supporter Buddy Hall, and was regularly seen at pro-Trump events during his ill-fated re-election campaign.
Buddy, is reported to have told Buzzfeed News that while he’s yet to hear from the Palace personally, he’s already made plans to take it off.
Buzzfeed News quotes him as saying: "I'm taking it off anyways,"
Buckingham Palace wouldn’t be the first to take issue with an association with Trump. Singer Neil Young said: “This is NOT ok with me,” after his track ‘Rockin' In The Free World’ was used by the former president on the day he announced his presidential candidacy in 2015. Late musician Tom Petty’s family also issued a cease-and-desist notice to Trump after the campaign used his track ‘I Won’t Back Down’ at a rally. And the Rolling Stones threatened to sue after their song ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want’ was used at a rally in Oklahoma. The estate of Prince, Rihanna and Guns N’ Roses are among others acts to have taken issue with their music being used as part of Trump’s campaign.
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