Who will pay for King’s lavish celebrations

In just over two weeks, King Charles III will be crowned during the royal coronation on 6 May at Westminster Abbey. But who will foot the bill for the lavish three-day celebration?

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WHO IS PAYING FOR KING CHARLES’ CORONATION?

With Britain currently in a cost-of-living crisis, there is much debate regarding the cost of King Charles’ coronation. Who exactly will pay for the lavish celebration?

According to reports, King Charles’ coronation is set to be on a much smaller scale than that of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth. This is all part of his plan to downscale the monarchy.

But, as it is a state event, the UK government will foot the bill for the coronation, The Sun reports.

The publication reports that the Operation Golden Orb committee in charge of the ceremony has estimated the cost at about £100 million (about R2.2 billion). This hasn’t been confirmed.

Queen Elizabeth’s crowning ceremony in 1953 reportedly cost about £46 million (estimated at R1 billion).

“In today’s money the 1953 coronation cost around £ 50 million, but estimates for King Charles’ are twice that because of things like security, which weren’t such a big issue back then,” a source told The Sun.

It has been reported that worldwide TV rights will more than cover the cost. It will also be a boost to tourism.

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THE CROWNING SERVICE

The coronation proceedings will consist of a three-day-long celebration, starting with the service at Westminster Abbey on 6 May.

According to Buckingham Place, the Archbishop of Canterbury will conduct the service. It will reflect the Monarch’s current and future role while paying tribute to longstanding traditions and pageantry.

King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla will arrive at Westminster Abbey in procession from Buckingham Palace, in what is known as “The King’s Procession.” 

After the service, the King and Queen will return to Buckingham Palace in a larger ceremonial procession, known as “The Coronation Procession,” the Palace reveals. The couple will be joined in this procession by other royal family members.

Back at the palace, The King and The Queen Consort, accompanied by members of the royal family, will appear on the balcony to conclude the day’s ceremonial events.

The next day, on Sunday, 7 May, a special Coronation Concert will be staged and broadcast live at Windsor Castle. It will be shown on BBC and BBC Studios. A limited amount of tickets are also available via a public ballot.

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