Crowning Glory or Final Bow: The 'Eye-Watering' Costs of King Charles III's Coronation and Queen Elizabeth II's Funeral Unveiled
King Charles III's coronation and Queen Elizabeth II's funeral were both 'pricey affairs.'
The cost for King Charles III's coronation on May 6, 2023, has been disclosed, revealing a significant contrast to the expenses of Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral eight months before.
According to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) annual report released on Thursday, November 21, the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla amounted to $90.69 million dollars.
King Charles III is on a mission to reshape the British monarchy for the 21st century.
This historic event, the first in over 70 years to be held at Westminster Abbey, followed a centuries-old tradition. Although Charles became King immediately after Elizabeth II's passing on September 8, 2022, the coronation marked his formal ceremonial crowning just like nearly every monarch since 1066.
According to the report, the DCMS allocated $63.37 million dollars for the event, "funded by His Majesty’s Treasury," with an additional $27.33 million dollars designated to the Home Office for security measures.
Remarkably, the coronation came in $3.77 million dollars under budget, showcasing efforts to manage costs amid the U.K.'s ongoing cost-of-living challenges.
Queen Elizabeth II's 1953 coronation was cheaper than King Charles' primarily because of less security concerns.
By comparison, Queen Elizabeth’s state funeral incurred a total cost of $204 million dollars, which was more than double that of King Charles’ coronation. The expenses for the late Queen’s send-off included nationwide mourning events and her lying in state, which significantly inflated the final bill.
Adjusted for inflation, Queen Elizabeth’s 1953 coronation would have cost approximately $57 million dollars today, making direct comparisons with her son's event complex. Many analysts feel that although the late monarch's crowning was far grander than her successor's, today's hefty security measures compared to 1953 engulfed much of the King's bill.
Government representatives emphasized that all possible measures were taken to minimize taxpayer expenditure while delivering a historic and diplomatically significant occasion, the report reflected.
The coronation united millions across the Commonwealth and showcased British culture and heritage on an international stage, with the largest assembly of global leaders in decades.
King Charles III was crowned at Westminster Abbey in the first British coronation in nearly 70 years.
Reflecting the times, King Charles reduced some of the ceremony's grandeur. Attendance was limited to around 2,000 guests, which was a sharp reduction from the 8,251 who attended Queen Elizabeth’s coronation, and the event was shortened from three hours to two.
In 1953, stands had to be erected inside the Abbey to accommodate all the invited guests, which one analyst said "would violate many security protocols in place today."
Queen Rania of Jordan, reflecting on the King's crowning, commended the ceremony for its harmonious blend of tradition and modernity.
She noted that the event was "steeped in tradition" yet praised King Charles for "putting his own stamp on the events." A significant aspect she highlighted was the inclusion of representatives from various religions, which she described as "unprecedented in Britain's history," demonstrating the King's commitment to inclusivity.
Prince Philip's coffin during his funeral procession in April 2021.
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People reported on the royal ceremonial price tags.
