Anti monarchy protests during coronation of King Charles III. (AFP)
London, May 11 (RHC)-- Thousands of people took to the streets of London to celebrate the event. Many others however, rallied across the UK capital to argue that a monarchical system does not apply to the modern world. The one of a kind multi million pound coronation has finally ended. A three day ceremony, which saw King Charles III crowned along with his wife Camilla.
More than 2000 guests, including world leaders, aristocrats, and, celebrities, participated in the event. Tens of thousands of people flooded the streets in London to see King Charles III formally crowned. Thousands saw the King receiving a Royal Salute from members of the military in the gardens of Buckingham Palace following his coronation.
The coronation of King Charles III at the historic Westminster Abbey was the first in the United Kingdom for seven decades. The Coronation of King Charles III drew thousands of people into the streets in protest against the antiquated monarchical system.
The heavy police presence overshadowed the extravagant event. The London Metropolitan Police deployed tens of thousands of officers, one of their biggest ever security operations, for the day of the coronation.
For many the coronation of King Charles the III was a once in a lifetime event, full of joyous days and long festivities. Tens of thousands turned out to catch a glimpse of the newly crowned King Charles and Queen Camilla as they rode back to Buckingham Palace in the Royal Carriage after Saturday services at Westminster Abbey.
However, not everyone who came to watch the multi million pound ceremony was there to cheer Charles; thousands of people poured onto the streets to protest against the antiquated monarchical system of governance.
“Not my king, not my king, not my king,...”
London's Metropolitan Police made over 60 arrests on Saturday for various offences including breach of the peace and conspiracy to cause a public nuisance. Those detained included Graham Smith, the leader of an anti monarchist group, Republic.
Graham Smith criticized the policing of the coronation as heavy handed, saying the arrests were not about protecting people from harm, but about protecting the kingdom from embarrassment.
The budget assigned to the coronation of King Charles III has not been revealed. Some suggest that the ceremony could cost the nation as much as £125 million. The government has so far refused to comment on the exact cost, making the amount of public funds spent on the festivities unknown. What is known though, is that the taxpayers will have to foot the multi million pound coronation bill.
The coronation takes place at a juncture in time when the country is gripped with protests and strikes in a dispute with the government over pay. In the past year, a huge number of workers have walked off their jobs, including teachers, civil servants, train and bus drivers, border officials, university staff, nurses, ambulance drivers and staff throughout government agencies, since they can no longer make ends meet.
With several waves of strikes sweeping the UK, the economy has been hit harder than initially expected. The UK inflation rate has experienced a 40 year high; food prices and the cost of some essential goods and services have risen by as much as 50%.
According to official government data, the situation is so dire that many people across the country are struggling to put food on the table.
Many across Britain see the monarchy as outdated and undemocratic and are adamant that the coronation is a celebration of hereditary power and has no place in modern society. Maybe that's why many are worried that the coronation will indirectly result in many people going hungry.
