King Charles's coronation cost sparks criticism amid cost of living crisis and taxpayer scrutiny

The coronation of King Charles III in May 2023 cost taxpayers £72 million, according to official figures released by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The event, which included the ceremonial crowning at Westminster Abbey and a concert at Windsor Castle, has sparked criticism from anti-monarchy groups.

The breakdown reveals £21.7 million spent on policing and £50.3 million allocated by the DCMS. The department called the coronation a “once-in-a-generation moment” that brought the country together and showcased the UK to the world. Around 20 million Britons watched the ceremony on TV, significantly fewer than the 29 million who viewed Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022.

However, Republic, a group advocating for an elected head of state, described the expense as “obscene.” CEO Graham Smith told The Guardian, “It’s a huge amount of money to spend on one person’s parade when there was no obligation whatsoever in the constitution or in law to have a coronation.” He added, “This was an extravagance we simply didn’t have to have… in the middle of a cost of living crisis.”

Smith also questioned the £72 million figure, suggesting additional costs incurred by the Ministry of Defence, Transport for London, and local councils could bring the total to between £100 million and £250 million. Highlighting public discontent, he remarked, “When kids are unable to afford lunches at school, to spend over £70 million on this parade is obscene.”

The event has reignited debates about royal expenditures during economic hardship, with critics emphasizing its perceived excessiveness against a backdrop of widespread financial challenges.