Report

United Kingdom: the coronation of Charles III, a costly ceremony in the midst of a social crisis

Audio 01:21

The outfit Charles III will wear at the coronation is prepared at Kashket & Partners in North London on May 4, 2023. AFP - JUSTIN TALLIS

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

The United Kingdom prepares for the coronation of Charles III. Elizabeth II's successor will be consecrated king on Saturday, May 6. Tens of thousands of visitors and millions of viewers are expected to follow this sumptuous ceremony. London is getting ready, without much enthusiasm. Report.

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With our special envoy, Julien Chavanne

Nearly two-thirds of Britons would not be interested in the event, according to a poll published in mid-April. And as with every event of the royal family, the cost is controversial. Especially since the UK is facing strikes for better wages in a context of high inflation.

From a distance, one could think of a festive gathering in honor of King Charles. Of course not... Parked on a roundabout 2 kilometers from Heathrow airport, a dozen air traffic controllers came to demand wage increases.

Waine King is the local representative of Unite the Union: "We have a serious cost-of-living crisis that affects everyone in one way or another. People need wage increases and when they don't, they strike. And the strikes will continue, not just for us, but in all sectors."

Prices have skyrocketed, plus 10% on supermarket shelves. So organizing a sumptuous coronation ceremony in the midst of a social crisis, it makes Waine King angry: "It's shocking... All this money could be invested in the country, for the workers, for the communities. But we have one of the richest men on the planet who lets others pay for his big day...

And he's not alone. 51% of Britons think the coronation should not be funded by the state. The bill for the ceremony is still mysterious. Between 60 and 280 million euros, according to the press.

The authorities prefer to focus on tourism and commercial benefits. More than 1.4 billion euros expected. Meanwhile, air traffic controllers at Heathrow Airport have planned 7 more strike days until the end of May.

Young people indifferent to Charles?

If tens of thousands of visitors and millions of viewers are expected, young Britons are rather indifferent to this effervescence. A question of generation and era.

We know it's going to happen, but there's not much to say about it...

Young people indifferent to Charles?

Julien Chavanne

The disenchantment between young Britons and the royal family is not new. But the gap has widened in recent years. Only 26% of 18-24 year olds think the monarchy is a good thing for the UK. They were almost twice as numerous in 2019.

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• United Kingdom
• Charles III