We asked people what they would spend the £100 million Coronation budget on – here’s what they said

Around £100million has been spent on the event (Picture: Getty)

A lavish and luxurious affair is the only way to welcome a new monarch to the throne… isn’t it?

King Charles’ Coronation is just days away and it’s clear it’s a no expenses spared event – all at the cost of the British tax payer.

In fact, it’s estimated the Coronation will cost an eye-watering £100 million (more than double the price of Queen Elizabeth’s ceremony in today’s money).

But amidst the backdrop of a cost of living crisis, the money that’s been ploughed into the event certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed.

The Coronation falls just weeks after doctors, nurses and teachers all took to the picket lines to strike for better pay, and as the country battles with household bills rising yet again. Throw in a crumbling NHS and one in four UK parents forced to quit work or education to pay for childcare, the signs of financial hardship are everywhere you look.

So, with the country struggling on numerous levels, many are – naturally – finding it difficult to wave Union Jack flags and throw street parties knowing the sheer amount of cash that’s been pumped into the royal event.

We asked individuals what they would spend the Coronation money on instead. Here’s what they had to say….

‘Let’s tackle waiting times for mental health support’ – Amy Polly, 38

‘I would love to sit down with a £100 million budget’ (Picture: Supplied)

‘I have very strong opinions about this. As a mental health speaker and campaigner – as well as someone who was late diagnosed with ADHD because I was struggling with my mental health after having my baby – it blows my mind that “lack of funding” is quoted in many of the excuses when it comes to our failing health system, particularly in terms of mental health. 

‘And yet we sit and watch this money be spent on something that, quite frankly, we could live without.

‘I would like to see this money spent on tackling waiting times for assessments and pro-active mental health support. 

‘I have a background in finance as a qualified accountant for 19 years and I would love, love, love to sit down with a £100 million budget and create a plan of action.’

‘It could be supporting food banks’ – Maddy Alexander-Grout, 39

‘They are making a massive deal of how much money they have while others are struggling’ (Picture: Supplied)

‘There are so many things that could be addressed with this. I am a money specialist and I see people struggling with debt and cost of living day in day out. The £100 million could be spent helping people who can’t afford to heat their homes, or who can’t afford to eat. It could be providing food for food banks. 

‘Putting a man in a room and putting a crown on his head shouldn’t have to be this expensive. 

‘The whole country is grinding to a stop for a day. Small businesses will be closing, and therefore losing revenue.

‘I’m not saying it’s not important, but the royal family could have saved some money doing it on a bank holiday that already exists. They could have done it OK on a budget, even £10,000 would have been extravagant for an event.

‘It could also be more private, an intimate event for the family – but filmed. So the nation is included – £100 million pounds is ridiculous.

‘When so many people are suffering at the hands of this government, it seems like a real “F you” from those at the top. They are making a massive deal of how much money they have while others are struggling.

‘This money could have been better spent helping other people who need it more.’

‘Our woodlands, birds and ecosystems need protecting’ – Joel Stein, 37

‘Natural ecosystems desperately need protecting’ (Picture: Supplied)

‘It does feel ironic for such great expense to be incurred for the Coronation given Charles’ fondness for the natural world.

‘Our woodlands, birds, and natural ecosystems desperately need protecting and expanding, and what a strong statement it would make to see our King channelling such a large pot of public money towards conservation and rewilding.

‘Not to mention the ever-widening inequality in the UK – what sort of society prioritises such grand displays of wealth and power against a backdrop of poverty, homelessness, food banks, and fear about the future?

‘I do think the monarchy can be a good thing for our country on balance, and there is some value in traditions – they’re a connecting thread through the generations. But extravagant pomp and pageantry belongs in the bin. Instead, Charles could create new ceremonies and symbols that demonstrate commitment to the flourishing of British people for centuries to come.

‘Imagine if the Coronation was a humble tree-planting ceremony, with everyone in the country encouraged to plant their own tree to mark the occasion. This feels far more powerful to me than any amount of bagpipes, jewels, and horseshit.’

‘Help those living a poor quality of life’ – Ella, 25

‘As leaders of our country, shouldn’t they be thinking about helping those who are homeless, those who are starving, those who are living an incredibly low-quality life first?

‘The country is on its arse and the people with power to fix it are prancing around in jewels and being carted around in an air-conned coach, that we’ve paid for against our will? I can’t see how anyone can justify £100 million spent on this event – they should have paid for it themselves.’

‘It should be spent on supporting disabled people’ – Sarah Park, 42

‘Many disabled people are on the poverty line’ (Picture: Sarah Park)

‘As a person with a disability, I am concerned about the questionable ways that our money is spent in the UK, not just on the Coronation but many other ways too. 

‘Many disabled people are on the poverty line, relying on benefits to survive. Those that want to work but can’t work full time (like me) are penalised by the system because I am not given any extra for my disability on UC because “I am capable of working”. So currently, because I want to try and work, I am worse off than if I was to be just on benefits. 

‘More money should be spent on improving infrastructure, supporting disabled people to live independently, and to help businesses to become more accessible – not just through the physical space but education, too.’

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‘It could be used on reducing or preventing homelessness’ – Chris Oatway, 30

‘Pacify those who are striking and support the NHS’ (Picture: Supplied)

‘I’d spend the £100 million that is being spent on the Coronation on pacifying those who are striking and supporting the NHS but, more importantly, reducing or preventing homelessness.

‘I am not sure whether there is a Coronation support fund but that could be an extremely useful option.’

‘Nurture and grow grassroots talent’ – Jake, 32

‘From my experience of touring the Netherlands in a band, the arts and many other events are subsidised by the King and Dutch government. Everyone is paid and treated fairly with the number one metric being human satisfaction over profit and a long-term plan to start generating revenue across numerous cities. 

‘I’m yet to experience this level of hospitality, fair pay or long-sighted thinking in the UK. 

‘It would be great if the money could be invested in starting a similar system that helps nurture and grow grassroots talent and lessens the financial strains on venues and personnel without the complex bureaucracy.

‘It’s a pity this Thomas Beecham quote still stands true: “The English may not like music, but they absolutely love the noise it makes.”‘

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‘Putting a man in a room and putting a crown on his head shouldn’t have to be this expensive.’