The annual report of the Royal Palace reveals a consecutive rise in royal expenses in the UK for the second year running. According to the House of Commons’ yearly report, net spending increased by £5.1 million, or 5%, reaching £107.5 million in the 2022-23 financial year. This has prompted criticism from British taxpayers, particularly the younger generation, who question the reasons behind these escalating costs.
Charles III’s popularity has also declined, raising concerns. For example, a recent survey has revealed that the approval rating of Charles III has dropped to its lowest level since he ascended the throne in 2023. Moreover, British citizens have been questioned about their responsibility to support the royal family financially.
The reasons for the increase in royalty costs in the UK
Royal advisers cited one of the reasons for the increase being the change of throne after the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September.
In addition, according to them, inflation and the ongoing costs of the multi-year renovation of Buckingham Palace will increase the costs. Reserves cover additional fees. Young people and British taxpayers protest the prices of the monarchy in the UK.
A 6% increase in the salaries of royal employees
Some showed a mixed picture, with the royal family’s travel expenses falling by £600,000 to £3.9 million. Conversely, property management and administration costs rose by £1.3m to £2.4m, and staff costs rose by £3.4m to £27.1m. This was also due to a 5-6% increase in salaries.
Increase in expenses with the beginning of the reign of the new King
Overall, the Sovereign Grant – the annual payment the royal family receives from the government budget – was £86.3m, the same as last year. Of this amount, £51.8 million is earmarked for the official duties of the King and his family, and £34.5 million for ongoing repairs.
Michael Stevens, the chief financial officer of the British royal palace, spoke of a year of mourning, change and celebration the likes of which the nation has not seen in seven decades; this reporting period included the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s accession to the throne, the period of mourning for the death of the former queen and the beginning of the reign of the new King Charles III.
Funding the costs of the coronation ceremony from the state budget
The coronation of Charles III will be funded by the government, unlike the royal family’s weddings, which are paid for by the court so that the British taxpayers will bear a large part of the costs.
The King and the British Royal Family receive an annual payment from the country’s government, the amount they spend on expenses arising from their official duties.
An important reason for the increase in royalties in the UK
This government payment is made from the profits of the royal estates, which are the collection of properties owned by the British monarch during his reign, managed by an independent board of directors. The amount earmarked for this purpose 2022 was €97 million, roughly €1.50 per UK resident.
The cost of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953 was £56 million. Security threats are cited as one of the primary reasons for the increased costs of Charles III’s coronation.
The decline in British public opinion support for the monarchy
Some Britons have criticized the royal family for organizing the expensive coronation of Charles III, as the rising cost of living has fueled discontent in the country.
Some polls in the country suggest that public support for the monarchy has fallen dramatically, especially among UK’s younger generation. Polls show that Charles III’s popularity is much lower than that of his mother, Elizabeth II, who died in September.
A 20% drop in public support for the monarchy
According to an online survey conducted by YouGov, support for the monarchy in the UK, which was around 73% in 2012, has now dropped to 53%.
One of the most recent polls conducted by the research firm showed that only nine percent of the British public considered the coronation of Charles III to be a significant event.
The lack of importance of the royal system for the British
Meanwhile, according to a poll by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), 45 percent of respondents said the monarchy either “should be abolished,” “doesn’t matter,” or “doesn’t matter at all.” Last year, when the 70th year of Queen Elizabeth’s reign was celebrated, three months before her death, 35 percent gave the same answer about how vital the monarchy was to their country.
The current major challenge for the British monarchy
According to Guy Goodwin, chief executive of NatCen, the most critical challenge for the monarchy, today is to connect the monarchy with the younger generation and maintain it; Because 42% of people aged 55 and over in this country still attach great importance to the monarchy.
Three in 10 Britons still see the monarchy as “very important,” according to the centre’s poll.
Charles III’s unpopularity among young Englishmen
After 71 years as crown prince, Charles III officially became the King of Great UK at the coronation ceremony.
According to a poll conducted by Ipsos a week before the coronation, the popularity of Charles III is around 49%; Meanwhile, some other polls show a number much lower than this. On the other hand, the royal family’s popularity in this country is generally decreasing.
The impact of scandals on the decline of the Popularity of Charles III
Several scandals and significant challenges in recent decades have caused Charles to have more challenges for the throne than his late mother, Queen Elizabeth. Many still consider Charles responsible for the death of Princess Diana, Charles’ ex-wife, who was very popular with the public.
In 2017, Prince Charles came under fire for allegations of collusion in his office to investigate the abuse of his financial power at his charity. In 2019, one of Prince Charles’ advisers filed a lawsuit in court claiming that he was sexually harassed by two officials in Prince Charles’ office in 2011. She said that Charles knew this but did nothing to stop it.
UK’s economic crisis and the continued decline in the popularity of Charles III
Since Brexit, the UK has had severe problems in the production and supply chain of goods, transportation and human resources due to changes in laws and relations with the EU. After that, the Covid-19 epidemic and the start of the war in Ukraine and problems in energy supply caused stagnation and continued economic crisis in this country.
At a time when the UK is experiencing the highest consumer prices in four decades, the coronation of Charles III has cost British taxpayers about $125 million. British citizens believe that the government and British taxpayers of this country should not be responsible for financing the ceremonies of the royal family.
