By Chanakya
On May 6, 2023, King Charles III was crowned as the new monarch of the United Kingdom in a lavish and traditional coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey. However, the grandeur and opulence of the ceremony was jarring and incongruous against the backdrop of worldwide conflicts and human tragedies. It was a stark reminder of the skewed priorities of the British monarchy and the government that supports it.
In the year 2023, the world continued to grapple with a multitude of crises, including the last trails and after-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the remains of the refugee crisis, and ongoing climate change. Wars and conflicts were raging in various parts of the world, leading to countless deaths and displacement. In this context, it was difficult to justify the exorbitant cost and extravagance of the coronation ceremony, which reportedly cost around £100 million.
A relic of the past
The coronation ceremony is a relic of the past, steeped in tradition and symbolism that may have held significance in a different era but has little relevance in today’s world. It is a testament to the deep-rooted inequality and classism that still exists in British society, where the monarchy is seen as a symbol of national pride and tradition rather than as an archaic institution that serves no practical purpose.
Moreover, the fact that such a vast sum of money was spent on a single ceremony, at a time when millions of people around the world, were struggling to make ends meet, was nothing short of criminal. This also flies in the face of how Britain is struggling to make ends meet, its once huge Empire in tatters.
It was a blatant display of the elitism and callousness that characterizes the ruling class, who are willing to spend obscene amounts of money on frivolous pursuits while neglecting the needs of the most vulnerable members of society.
Slap in the fame of humanity
The coronation ceremony was also a slap in the face of humanity, as it served as a reminder of the British Empire’s history of colonization and exploitation of other nations and peoples. The monarchy is a symbol of that legacy, and the coronation ceremony is a celebration of that history, despite the fact that it has caused immeasurable harm to countless people.
In light of these issues, it is difficult to understand why the coronation ceremony is still seen as a necessary and important event in British society. The monarchy is an archaic institution that has outlived its usefulness, and the coronation ceremony is a relic of a bygone era. It is time for the British people to rethink their priorities and demand that their government allocate resources towards addressing the pressing issues of the day, rather than wasting money on an outdated and unnecessary ceremony.
Instead of spending £100 million on a coronation ceremony, the government could have used that money to fund critical social programmes, such as healthcare, education, and affordable housing. It could have been used to support humanitarian aid efforts in war-torn countries, or to address the urgent needs of refugees fleeing conflict and persecution.
In conclusion, the coronation ceremony of King Charles III was a stark reminder of the skewed priorities of the British monarchy and government. In the midst of worldwide conflicts and human tragedies, it was incongruous and insensitive to spend such an exorbitant sum of money on an antiquated ceremony that serves no practical purpose. It is time for the British people to demand that their government prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable members of society, rather than continuing to prop up an outdated and unnecessary institution.
