According to a poll published on Tuesday, a majority of Britons (51%) believe that the coronation of Charles III on May 6 should not be funded by the state, given the fact that the cost of living in the UK is rising. This is reported by AFP, DPA and Agerpres agencies.

Only 32% of Britons think the state should fund the coronation of Charles – the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II, who died in September – and Queen Consort Camilla, according to this YouGov poll.

Young people are the most critical: 62% of 18 to 24-year-olds believe the state should not fund coronations, while this drops to 44% of over-65s and 46% of over-50s. and 64 and 55% among people aged 25 to 49.

Neither the British government nor Buckingham Palace have released any information about the coronation bill, which is expected to cost tens of millions of pounds.

“A slap in the face to the millions of people suffering because of the rising cost of living”

The topic is controversial as Britain has been facing inflation of more than 10% for months and a social crisis that has led to strikes in several areas, including health, education and transport.

Anti-monarchy groups condemned the cost of the event. It is “a slap in the face to millions of people who are suffering because of the rising cost of living,” said Graham Smith of the Republic group, which plans to hold a demonstration to end the monarchy on May 6.

In 1953, Elizabeth II’s coronation cost £912,000 at the time, equivalent to £20.5 million today, while her father George VI’s coronation cost £24.8 million (2023 equivalent), making it the most expensive ceremony in recent 300 years.