Criticism of coronation party among crisis-stricken Britons

Almost SEK 1.3 billion. That’s how much the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla is expected to cost the British taxpayer. At the same time, millions of households are struggling to make ends meet.

“A pointless spectacle,” Graham Smith, chairman of the country’s Republican Association, calls the event.

Feverish preparations are currently underway in London for the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla, which goes by the name “Operation Golden Orb” – “Operation golden orb.” The name refers to the royal apple that Charles III, along with the coronation ring and scepter, will receive in a pompous ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Saturday.

The price tag on the royal festivities is secret, but according to British media, the sum could reach as much as 100 million pounds, corresponding to almost 1.3 billion kroner.

The considerable sum arouses criticism. 51 percent of Britons believe that the coronation should not be funded by taxpayers, according to a survey by the survey institute Yougov.

“Senseless spectacle”

Graham Smith, chairman of the organization Republic which wants to abolish the British monarchy, believes that the event is an expression of an obsolete world view.

“Through the coronation, you celebrate a corrupt institution – and a man who gets a job he didn’t deserve,” he tells AP.

“At a cost of tens of thousands of millions of pounds, this pointless spectacle is a disservice to all the millions of people struggling to cope in the crisis”.

On Coronation Day, the Republic plans to gather 1,500 protesters in London’s Trafalgar Square to chant “Not my King” as the magnificent coronation carriage carrying Charles and Camilla passes by on its way to Westminster Abbey.

The choice of location is symbolic. The square in central London is adorned by a statue of King Charles I – who was deposed by the country’s parliament and subsequently executed in 1649.

Rampant inflation

Even among less radical Britons, dissatisfaction is growing that the coronation is paid for by taxpayers at the same time as rampant inflation and high energy prices hit millions of households hard.

Food inflation in Great Britain landed in March at a record high 19.1 percent, which is the highest level since 1977, according to the country’s statistics agency ONS. Above all, the prices of basic goods such as milk, butter, cheese and eggs have skyrocketed – which has led to the pressure on the country’s food banks increasing sharply.

According to the country’s largest charity, the Trussell Trust, the number of food parcels distributed in 2022 increased by 37 percent compared to the previous year.

“We are experiencing an unprecedented increase in the number of people moving here. Especially by people who have a job, but are unable to balance a low income with rising living costs,” said Brian Thomas, director of the South Tyneside Food Bank, near Newcastle, to The Guardian newspaper.

Shrouded in mystery

How much King Charles actually owns is shrouded in obscurity, but according to an ambitious review by The Guardian, it could amount to as much as 23 billion kroner. However, the information has been denied by the court, which has also refrained from commenting on the costs of the upcoming coronation.

According to information in the British press, however, during the planning stage, Charles III should have opposed all thoughts of holding a more stripped-down event due to the grim financial situation.

Instead, he should have pointed out that the coronation could be “a window to market Britain”, writes The Telegraph.

Facts

The coronation of Charles and Camilla

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