Fact Check: White goat at Prince Charles' coronation is NOT meant for sacrifice
The goat is claimed to be intended for sacrifice during the occasion.
A few users of social media are sharing an image of a white goat, along with an English soldier, during the coronation of Prince Charles as the King of England. The goat is claimed to be intended for sacrifice during the occasion.
The claim goes as "This is the British carrying a white ram (intended for sacrifice) for the crowning and declaration of Prince Charles as King of England. He is also the Head of the Church of England (Anglican Church). This is their ancient tradition and culture (Ọdịnaanị na Omenaanị as we call it). If this was an African King or Ìgbò chief, brainwashed Christian brethren will call it idol worship, worshipping Alusi, and paganism. These are the same people that brought you the "Church" and told you that your ways are evil. They deceived you to abandon your ancient ways, but hold strongly unto their own.
See them celebrate their own with pride.
Africa wake up!"
There is a name, Chuka Nduneseokwu, tagged with the message posted.
Fact check:
The claim that the goat is being taken for sacrifice during the crowning of Prince Charles is FALSE. The goat named Shenkin IV, is the mascot of the Royal Welsh and was found participating in the parade, a day after Prince Charles was formally coronated.
When we searched the image using Google Reverse Image Search, we found a few articles stating that the goat seen in the image is Shenkin IV, the official mascot for the 3rd Battalion of The Royal Welsh.
We also found a tweet by Cardiff Council showing the images of the soldiers along with Shenkin, the goat.
Official goats have a regimental number, a rank - Shenkin IV is a fusilier - and can be promoted or demoted, just like regular human soldiers. One of Shenkin's predecessors, William 'Billy' Windsor I, was once demoted from lance corporal to fusilier for headbutting a drummer during a parade held as part of Queen Elizabeth II's birthday celebrations.
Official goats even get a salary; the money is usually used to take care of their accommodation, which includes a radio and a sofa. They are also assigned an official Goat Master, who groom, exercise, train, and lead them during ceremonial appearances.
Here is the ITV article which shows Shenkin the goat march through Cardiff for the proclamation of the King. The Royal Welsh, and previously its predecessors, have been using goats as mascots for centuries, with the tradition dating back to 1775 during the American War of Independence.
Therefore, the claim that the goat is taken by the soldiers for sacrifice is FALSE. The goat seen in the images is the official mascot of the Royal Welsh and its name is Shenkin IV.