The coronation carriage, isn't this a bit excessive?

[reynold]

I was talking to the mother of my YO. She was 9 at the time of the late Queen's coronation and remembers it well. They went round to a neighbour to watch and had a party with 3 cottages the following day. She said it was absolutely pouring the day of the coronation.

In 1953 rationing was still in force for many things and reconstruction after the war was still taking place. There was high inflation and what was available was expensive. So not really that much different to the hard times we're in now. The Queen and PP obeyed rationing the same as others (and farmers were much more appreciated for providing food than they are now!!)

As above there are 'standing costs' associated with the armed forces, etc which is money that would be spent normally. The biggest cost of the coronation is not the ceremony but the security costs associated with having foreign royalty, world leaders and their representatives in London.

We need something to enjoy. Let those who want to (myself included) enjoy the day. If you don't want to watch the ceremony that's also OK - just enjoy the extra bank holiday. What I find sad in today's society is the fact that people need to be so angry with opposing views and that has polarised society so badly. Live and let live is a much more comfortable existence and I wish more people would adopt it.

 

[Goldenstar]

There’s some great footage of the night time rehearsal of the parade on you tube including the carriage if anyone wants a look

 

[criso]

The Tower of London absolutely does play a role - it’s the gatekeeper to the safety of the crown, the orb and various other priceless objects. Far safer than any bank vault, and makes money in the process.

There’s a reason the ceremony of keys is still such a big thing, and as a royal palace continues to have an active guard duty 365 days of the year.

That's not really a real role in this day to day life of the country though or even impacts the monarch's duties and doesn't depend in any way on the existence of a king Yes they need security as they have valuable objects (of dubious provenance) however the National Gallery or the Tate have items of immeasurable value and artistic significance and manage security just fine.

It's a tourist attraction and can continue to function as one with or without a King.

 

[criso]

My dad was a child and remembered the last one as he thought it coincided with his birthday but later found out from his birth certificate, he'd been celebrating on the wrong day.

 

[Trouper]

As an oldie who was 7 at the time of the late Queen's coronation I remember it fairly well - not least because my father decided that I could be allowed a sip of sherry to toast the Queen as the crown was lowered onto her head!! Thank God for the absence of social workers then! I shall be re-enacting that moment on Saturday. I will not however be taking the vow. Having taken an oath to HM, her heirs and successors when I joined the military, I see no need to renew it - an oath is an oath.

I do wish the quotes for the costs of this event would be analysed more specifically. For example, the salaries of the thousands of military, police etc who will be on duty on the day would be payable anyway whether they were working or on a day off. Does the Abbey charge for the event as the Cof E does for wanting to hold a wedding on their premises? It is this sort of detail which might help us to get to the actual "extra" finance of holding such an event.

As to the future of the monarchy, I think The Princess Royal put it very succinctly - and politely. Just because some people object to the expense, it is important not to denigrate all the benefits the work they do brings to the nation. I have yet to see a Republic which is truly democratic, devoid of corruption or which provides such continuity and security for its people. I am truly hoping I do not see it in the UK in my lifetime but am equally happy for others to take a different decision at a future time. I just hope they remember Cromwell.

 

[sakura]

Your such a kill joy it's a once in a lifetime thing and part of our history, of course its going to be over the top.

That is your opinion, there's no need to insult me. I may be in the minority on this forum, but I am not the only one with my opinion. I will be having a lovely and joyful day on Saturday, as I'm sure you will be. It'll just be in different ways.

ETA -

Attitudes towards the monarchy differ most dramatically by age, with young Britons far less likely to support keeping the royals than their elders. In fact, while backing for the crown stands at 79% to 15% among the over-65s, the youngest Britons are split – only 36% want to keep the monarchy compared to 40% who want to have an elected head of state.

https://yougov.co.uk/topics/society...-does-public-opinion-stand-monarchy-ahead-cor

Perhaps that is what we are seeing here.

 

[Tarragon]

Can you imagine how proud the breeders of those 8 grey carriage horses must be feeling now!

 

[stangs]

I don't understand why anyone would want an elected head of state. As long as you've got a PM, presidents don't really do anything. They just sit around, pretend to do important things, and look good at events, which is exactly what the royals do now, except the royals actually look good at events.

 

[sakura]

I don't understand why anyone would want an elected head of state. As long as you've got a PM, presidents don't really do anything. They just sit around, pretend to do important things, and look good at events, which is exactly what the royals do now, except the royals actually look good at events.

Because a president is generally elected by a government the people vote in. They also typically are not a symbol of colonialism.

 

[J&S]

" the youngest Britons are split – only 36% want to keep the monarchy compared to 40% who want to have an elected head of state "

If these young Brits are any thing like my generation (70 plus) then they may all change their attitudes as they grow older ! We were a right bunch of rebels in the 60's I can assure you!!

 

[sakura]

I guess, as with most things, time will tell

 

[fetlock]

Can you imagine how proud the breeders of those 8 grey carriage horses must be feeling now!

That breeder would be our late Queen

 

[stangs]

Because a president is generally elected by a government the people vote in. They also typically are not a symbol of colonialism.

We're in England. Yes, the royals in particular have a history, but everything's a symbol of colonialism here. And being a symbol means that getting rid of them would just be symbolic and performative - it wouldn't benefit countries that were affected by colonialism, it would just make the UK worse off.

We elect in PMs and they're all symbols of classism.

 

[sakura]

We're in England. Yes, the royals in particular have a history, but everything's a symbol of colonialism here. And being a symbol means that getting rid of them would just be symbolic and performative - it wouldn't benefit countries that were affected by colonialism, it would just make the UK worse off.

We elect in PMs and they're all symbols of classism.

I will respectfully disagree with you and leave it at that.

 

[Cortez]

As an oldie who was 7 at the time of the late Queen's coronation I remember it fairly well - not least because my father decided that I could be allowed a sip of sherry to toast the Queen as the crown was lowered onto her head!! Thank God for the absence of social workers then! I shall be re-enacting that moment on Saturday. I will not however be taking the vow. Having taken an oath to HM, her heirs and successors when I joined the military, I see no need to renew it - an oath is an oath.

I do wish the quotes for the costs of this event would be analysed more specifically. For example, the salaries of the thousands of military, police etc who will be on duty on the day would be payable anyway whether they were working or on a day off. Does the Abbey charge for the event as the Cof E does for wanting to hold a wedding on their premises? It is this sort of detail which might help us to get to the actual "extra" finance of holding such an event.

As to the future of the monarchy, I think The Princess Royal put it very succinctly - and politely. Just because some people object to the expense, it is important not to denigrate all the benefits the work they do brings to the nation. I have yet to see a Republic which is truly democratic, devoid of corruption or which provides such continuity and security for its people. I am truly hoping I do not see it in the UK in my lifetime but am equally happy for others to take a different decision at a future time. I just hope they remember Cromwell.

Waves from a fairly uncorrupt, quite democratic and pretty secure republic. We remember Cromwell EXTREMELY well over here.

 

[Goldenstar]

Waves from a fairly uncorrupt, quite democratic and pretty secure republic. We remember Cromwell EXTREMELY well over here.

It could be said he put the English off republics .

 

[Gallop_Away]

I'm in my early 30's and have always felt rather indifferent when it comes to the monarchy.

I do have a huge amount of respect for the late queen. A truly remarkable lady in my opinion who absolutely deserved every ounce of respect, not because she was our queen, but because of her dedication to her country. Also as a fellow horsewoman, I can't help but feel a sense of love for a woman who felt so passionate about her horses and equestrian sports.

As for the monarchy moving forward, I don't have any particular feelings towards Charles either way. He and Camilla visited our little Welsh village last summer. He seemed a very nice chap and poured a pint in our local.

As to the question of whether the UK should have a monarchy in modern times or an elected head of state, I don't have any strong opinions either way. All I will say is elected doesn't automatically mean competent, as the current government demonstrates perfectly

 

[ycbm]

So not really that much different to the hard times we're in now.

I don't want to turn this more political than it already is but in 1953 my mother was caring for twin babies in a pretty standard rented flat where the only running water inside the house was a single cold tap over the only sink. In 1983 the council in Pucklechurch finally put inside loos in the council houses. I remember it well because the guy who mucked out in the morning was complaining that they had removed his outside loo before installing the new one.

There is simply no comparison between living in 1953 and now.
.

 

[sakura]

But when the next election comes, I can (and will) vote against the current party.

The royals aren’t all great people. I hope we’d be having a very different discussion of Andrew were being crowned on Saturday.

 

[Gallop_Away]

But when the next election comes, I can (and will) vote against the current party.

The royals aren’t all great people. I hope we’d be having a very different discussion of Andrew were being crowned on Saturday.

Yes but the fact you can vote for someone else doesn't mean that they would do a better job. Let's face it, most politicians are as useless and self preserving as each other. They just wear different colour ties.

Like I say, elected doesn't = good. Trump was elected by the people let's not forget. I think I'd rather Charles....

 

[sakura]

Yes but the fact you can vote for someone else doesn't mean that they would do a better job. Let's face it, most politicians are as useless and self preserving as each other. They just wear different colour ties.

Like I say, elected doesn't = good. Trump was elected by the people let's not forget. I think I'd rather Charles....

No one will ever be perfect, but it’s the fact that I CAN vote and have a say that I consider democracy.

 

[Gallop_Away]

But we do have a democracy here in the UK. These days our Monarch is head of state in name only. If you want to have a pop at undemocratic parts of our government, then the House of Lords is a good place to start. They are not elected but are part of our law making process.

 

[sakura]

But we do have a democracy here in the UK. These days our Monarch is head of state in name only. If you want to have a pop at undemocratic parts of our government, then the House of Lords is a good place to start. They are not elected but are part of our law making process.

Believe me, I have opinions on them as well but this is a thread about the coronation.

We have a democracy, but it could be better. I’m never going to be comfortable with unelected heads of state

 

[Red-1]

I will state my view by leaving this here...



Getting set up this morning.

Do I think the monarchy is necessary? No. Do I think it is a good thing? Well, yes, so far in my lifetime, but then we HM Queen Elizabeth II. She was amazing.

I have met Prince Charles, as he was then. He was trying to be interested. I wouldn't want his job. I hope he does a fabulous job.

.....Having taken an oath to HM, her heirs and successors when I joined the military, I see no need to renew it - an oath is an oath.

I do wish the quotes for the costs of this event would be analysed more specifically. For example, the salaries of the thousands of military, police etc who will be on duty on the day would be payable anyway whether they were working or on a day off. Does the Abbey charge for the event as the Cof E does for wanting to hold a wedding on their premises? It is this sort of detail which might help us to get to the actual "extra" finance of holding such an event.

.......

I took an oath in a previous lifetime, however it was only to The Queen and not her heirs and successors. I think I will do another on Saturday.

The cost will be huge. Sadly, the Police etc who would normally be on duty will be on duty, yes, but they will be doing the things that they would normally be on duty for. There will be a whole raft of extra Police on duty to deal with extra coronation work. Except that they aren't extra, they are those who would normally be off duty, or on preventative duties, which will need catching up with. They will be on overtime, which costs more than those who were re-rostered. The streets will be shorter of Police all year as people catch up with the re-rostered rest days. During the Olympics Police, near here anyway, were initially banned from taking annual leave for 3 months. Some was reinstated but, by then, the time for planning was gone. Oh, the ones attending also got extra shiny new uniform, not out of the normal allocation - more £££s.

So, why am I in favour, knowing of all the extra £, shortage of staff and trouble? Because making a big effort for a spectacle is good for the soul. It is like making a big tea, like my grandma used to. Extra £ and time and trouble, getting chairs etc. It would have been cheaper and easier to simply have the family eat on their knees in front of the TV at home, than all gather for special food. But it makes the day far from mundane.

Many people seem to be all in for convenience in many areas of life. I think there is something very special about doing prep. We live in a village where pretty much everyone will have flags out. They only cost a small amount, I ordered 2 5 X 3 ones from Amazon yesterday for £3.68. Special Coronation ones, with Charles' picture on. It is in the preparations, the expectations, the feeling of belonging. Sharing a celebration. Part of a community, sharing a common experience. Watching the coronation on TV, and having a common topic of conversation afterwards.

I think there is something missing nowadays, the coming together of communities. Hence the flags. Especially round the arena, so we are all prepared for riding out down the local flag strewn roads!

 

[Kaylum]

Personally I think it would have been better to keep giving people £60 a month off their fuel bills and have a much lower key coronation. Everyone is struggling and some extremely badly. We are up North and have seen extreme poverty in our surrounding areas. My friend is a teacher and she says the children and parents are really suffering. She takes a couple of packed lunches in for some children and others have started doing this as well. They can't get free school meals as the parents work but still have no money.

I am not against the monarchy btw just think a low key one would have been more respectful and if the reasons why we're given, they would gain more support. Whereas my oh has very strong views on them.

 

[criso]

But we do have a democracy here in the UK. These days our Monarch is head of state in name only.

He does have powers which he (and the queen before him) chooses not to use. All I would say is make the monarch purely symbolic, take away those powers rather than rely on them not using them.

The royals aren’t all great people. I hope we’d be having a very different discussion of Andrew were being crowned on Saturday.

I mentioned that before and no one wants to go there. There would be no option to remove him except hoping he'd do the right thing.

I have yet to see a Republic which is truly democratic, devoid of corruption

I don't see any correlation between monarchies and greater democracy. Would you say that Portugal is inherently less democratic than Spain; is Finland less democratic or more corrupt than it's Scandinavian neighbours with a royal family. I don't think France or Germany are less democratic. Some European countries have monarchies through quirks of history, some don't.

Lastly why May, who's idea was that? 3 Bank holidays in May and nothing till the end of August.

 

[Gallop_Away]

Believe me, I have opinions on them as well but this is a thread about the coronation.

We have a democracy, but it could be better. I’m never going to be comfortable with unelected heads of state

Fair enough but I don't personally see an issue with it when that head of state has no actual powers to influence or laws or how our country is run.

ETA - apologies if I've got that slightly wrong. I would support the monarchy being only symbolic in nature.

 

[Fransurrey]

Your downselling yourself! Only a fleet of Pegasi will do! Flying you down in from the sky like the Beauxbaton school did!

I personally would stride in all on my tod on an alicorn. Much more of a statement grabber

The thing with the Beauxbaton girls is that they all grew up to be Wives of the Commanders. Or at least that's what the colour of their uniforms led me to believe. No wonder they were a bit uptight.

 

[Maxidoodle]

“In 1953 rationing was still in force for many things and reconstruction after the war was still taking place. There was high inflation and what was available was expensive. So not really that much different to the hard times we're in now”.

You definitely cannot compare rationing etc in 1953 to what anyone in the UK is currently experiencing.

 

[Tarragon]

I think that the OP was about the person-to-horse ratio on the carriage being excessive (i.e. 8 horses and 12 people), not whether the occasion of the coronation was excessive