The nation was glued to the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday, in what was the first time many of us will have witnessed the official crowning of a monarch in our lifetimes.
Aside from the ceremony itself, Saturday’s schedule of events saw a royal procession and a Red Arrows flyover.
It was the biggest date in the royal family’s 2023 calendar, meaning celebrations that took place this weekend came at a hefty price – but how much did it cost, and who paid?
Here’s Everything You Need To Know
How Much Did It Cost?
Charles requested that his coronation be smaller, shorter, and less expensive than that of his late mother, which took place in 1953 and cost £1.57 million (£46 million in today’s money).
Despite this, reports have estimated that the coronation – set up by the Golden Orb Committee – costed around £150 million.
This is due to security measures that had to be imposed in the run up to – and during – the momentous event.
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Bringing together hundreds of foreign heads of state along with senior members of the British and other royal families required a huge security operation.
The former head of royal protection, Dai Davies, told The Mirror the threat to the monarchy is “as big as it has been in 50 years.”
With that in mind, a total of 11,500 cops were on duty, with another 2,500 specialist officers from close protection, firearms, marine and undercover units.
For the first time ever on a State occasion, police also used live facial recognition cameras to try and pick out suspects in the crowd who are wanted for criminal offences.
But despite the event’s costly price tag, a Buckingham Palace spokesman told The Sun that the global interest it attracts “more than repays the expenditure.”
Who Pays…?
Unlike royal weddings, which are paid for by the royal family, the coronation of King Charles III was paid for by the government.
This essentially means the burden fell on the British tax payer.
But both the monarch and the government are “mindful of ensuring there is value for the taxpayer.”
Going forward in his reign, Charles has promised to begin the era of a more financially viable royal family.
And despite the event’s costly price tag, a Buckingham Palace spokesman told The Sun that the global interest it attracts “more than repays the expenditure.”
It is expected to bring in more than £1 billion for the UK economy.
