51% of Brits oppose funding King Charles III, Camilla's coronation

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
19 Apr 2023 20:19

It remains unclear as to how much the coronation will cost, which will entail street parties, a concert at Windsor Castle, light shows and formal processions, but it is predicted to reach the tens of billions of pounds.

Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla walk along the fence of Buckingham Palace, following the passing of Britain's Queen Elizabeth, in London, Britain, September 9, 2022 (Reuters)

A poll conducted in the UK by YouGov on Tuesday found that 51% of participants opposed funding of the UK's King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla Bowles' coronation, due to take place on May 6.

A mere 32% were in favor of funding the coronation, out of 4,246 adult participants, and 18% stated that they did not know whether they were with or against it.

This poll comes as the UK faces a record-breaking inflation rate and a cost-of-living crisis considered one of the current worsts, with the rising cost of goods alongside stagnant wages resulting in strikes and protests across productive and educational sectors.

Of the responders aged 18 to 24, the opposition reached 62% and only 15% favored funding the coronation, while in the elderly category - aged 65 and over - 43% were with the funding and 44% opposed it.

It remains unclear as to how much the coronation will cost, which will entail street parties, a concert at Windsor Castle, light shows, and formal processions, even though government minister Oliver Dowden vowed that there will not be “lavishness or excess" and that the King was “mindful of ensuring that there is value for the taxpayer”.

A point of tension is the fact that taxpayer money in the UK may be funding Ukrainian forces to the tune of tens of billions of pounds.

Campaign group Republic’s Chief Executive, Graham Smith, described the event as an “expensive pantomime” and a “slap in the face for millions of people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.”

Harry and Meghan not to attend

According to Sky News this month, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will not partake in the coronation next month amid tensions among the Royal Family, especially as a result of their children not being invited and the palace's rejection to sing "Happy Birthday" to the couple's son Archie from the royal balcony on the same day.

Tensions ensued after Prince Harry and US actress Meghan Markle, who married in 2018, left the UK in 2020 following controversies regarding tensions among the family. Tensions rose even further when the couple was interviewed by Oprah Winfrey in March 2021, and the couple disclosed that they have been facing a lack of support and racism.