Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Coronation of King Charles III: Half of British population unwilling to pay for it

According to the poll conducted with 4,246 adults, younger people were the least supportive of having the government fund the upcoming coronation of King Charles III

Coronation of King Charles III: Half of British population unwilling to pay for it

As the coronation of King Charles III approaches, a new poll by YouGov conducted and published on Tuesday (18) has revealed that over half of the British population is against the idea of funding the ceremony with taxpayers' money.

The poll found that 51 per cent of the respondents believed that the government should not pay for the coronation, while only 32 per cent were in favour of it. The rest, around 18 per cent, did not have a clear opinion.


This comes at a time when the country is grappling with a severe cost-of-living crisis and widespread strikes across public and private sectors due to high inflation rates. These factors are believed to have dampened the enthusiasm for the upcoming celebrations, with many people questioning the need for lavish spending currently.

While the government has not disclosed the total cost of the coronation, it is expected to run into tens of millions of pounds, including the expenses for the Westminster Abbey ceremony on May 6 and Windsor Castle concert on May 7 among the set-piece events, as well as the cost of the extensive security measures.

The additional bank holiday on May 8 also comes at an extra economic cost.

The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 cost £912,000, equivalent to £20.5 million today. Meanwhile, the coronation of Charles' grandfather George VI in 1937, cost £454,000, equivalent to £24.8 million in 2023.

According to the poll conducted with 4,246 adults, younger people were the least supportive of having the government fund the upcoming coronation of King Charles III.

Specifically, 62 per cent of those aged 18 to 24 were opposed to the coronation being government-funded, while only 15 per cent were in favour. In contrast, 43 per cent of over-65s supported taxpayers funding the coronation, while 44 per cent were against it.

Government minister Oliver Dowden has reassured the public that the monarchy is "mindful of ensuring that there is value for the taxpayer" and will not indulge in "lavishness or excess."

"It is a marvellous moment in our history and people would not want a dour scrimping and scraping," Dowden told a parliamentary committee earlier this year.

However, Graham Smith, chief executive of campaign group Republic has called the upcoming landmark occasion an "expensive pantomime" and a "slap in the face for millions of people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis".

The total cost and funding breakdown for the event will not be available until after May 6, similar to other royal occasions like jubilees.

(With inputs from AFP)

More For You

Fathers over 60 help 'reverse UK birthrate decline'

Photo for representation (Photo: iStock)

Fathers over 60 help 'reverse UK birthrate decline'

THE UK has recorded its first increase in births since 2021, with a notable rise in babies born to fathers over 60 helping to lift the numbers, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

In 2024, there were 594,677 live births in England and Wales, up 0.6 per cent from the previous year. While this is a modest increase, it marks a change after several years of decline.

Keep ReadingShow less
Quad-leaders

The foreign ministers of the Quad — India, the US, Australia and Japan — met in Washington DC on Tuesday to outline priorities for the bloc’s annual summit to be held in India later this year. (Photo credit: X/@DrSJaishankar)

X/@DrSJaishankar

Quad condemns Pahalgam attack, flags China’s actions and Myanmar crisis

THE QUAD grouping has called for the perpetrators, organisers and financiers of the Pahalgam terror attack to be brought to justice without delay. The group also urged all UN member states to cooperate in the process.

The foreign ministers of the Quad — India, the US, Australia and Japan — met in Washington DC on Tuesday to outline priorities for the bloc’s annual summit to be held in India later this year.

Keep ReadingShow less
'Preventable' grid failure caused Heathrow fire, says report

FILE PHOTO: Airplanes remain parked on the tarmac at Heathrow International. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso

'Preventable' grid failure caused Heathrow fire, says report

A FIRE that shut London's Heathrow airport in March, stranding thousands of people, was caused by the UK power grid's failure to maintain an electricity substation, an official report said on Wednesday (2), prompting the energy watchdog to open a probe.

The closure of Heathrow, Europe's busiest airport, cost airlines tens of millions of pounds. It also raised questions about the resilience of Britain's infrastructure.

Keep ReadingShow less
Tributes paid to Asian mum who died in Leicester attack

Leicestershire Police

Tributes paid to Asian mum who died in Leicester attack

TRIBUTES have poured in for a 'kind-hearted' mother who tragically lost her life last week after being attacked in Leicester.

Nila Patel, 56, a British Indian woman described as a "beautiful, vibrant soul," died in hospital two days after suffering a head injury during an assault on Aylestone Road.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pakistan IMF

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo is seen outside the headquarters building in Washington. (Photo: Reuters)

Reuters

Sri Lanka to receive USD 350 million as IMF completes fourth review

THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF) has completed the fourth review of Sri Lanka’s USD 2.9 billion bailout programme, allowing the country to access the next tranche of USD 350 million from the four-year facility.

The IMF had approved the nearly USD 3 billion bailout in March 2023 to support Sri Lanka’s efforts to restore macroeconomic stability, including fiscal and debt sustainability, during an unprecedented economic crisis.

Keep ReadingShow less