King Charles III’s Coronation Cost UK Taxpayers £72 Million

The scaled-down event faced criticism for its expense during a cost-of-living crisis, despite being touted as a unifying national moment.

Official accounts reveal that the UK government spent £72 million on King Charles III’s May 2023 coronation, with £50.3 million allocated to event coordination and £21.7 million for policing.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport described the coronation as a 'once-in-a-generation' event that reached an estimated global audience of 2 billion people across 125 countries.
Critics, including anti-monarchy groups, labeled the expense excessive and unnecessary during a period of economic hardship, arguing the funds could have been better allocated to public needs.
The coronation was notably smaller in scale compared to Queen Elizabeth II’s 1953 ceremony, with a reduced guest list and shorter procession, yet still drew international dignitaries and featured a high-profile concert at Windsor Castle.
While some praised the event for showcasing British culture and diplomacy, others questioned its economic impact, noting that the UK economy contracted in May 2023, partially due to the extra public holiday.