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

[ycbm]

Do the 'tourist revenues' really make up for the cost? Eh. Those buildings will still be there, no matter what.

For the coronation, yes, together with local hospitality and retail sales taxes, they will.

In ordinary years, the pageantry of the special events provides PR and advertising which is practically invaluable. There will be people visiting the UK for years to come who were triggered, consciously or unconsciously, by the pictures of the coronation.

I am not a Royalist, I won't be swearing any kind of allegiance, but President Blair or Johnson fill me with horror and I can recognise a good financial deal when I see one.

Happy Birthday for Saturday.

 

[ycbm]

One of many analyses, CI. As a US citizen, you may be particularly interested in this comment indicating how good the Royals are for exports.

“Royal endorsements for products and the royal coat of arms are extremely important as a seal of quality, from biscuits to luxury items,” he says. “We found that US consumers are significantly more likely to buy a certain brand if it was seen to be endorsed by royals.”

How much money does the monarchy bring to the UK? Some £1.7bn a year...

The death of Queen Elizabeth II led to questions about the future of the monarchy, but the institution makes a lot of money for the UK.

www.investmentmonitor.ai

 

[stangs]

I travel through zone 1 regularly, and there's definitely been an increase in tourists over the past two weeks. You can tell because my fury going through zone 1 tube stations is positively correlated with the number of tourists about. Also some bunting out and plans for celebrations across zones 3-6, but nowhere near as much as outside London.

I'm the opposite, I feel so much more accepted and comfortable than anywhere else I've lived.

Agreed. I find it's mostly the commuters who have problems with it, and one would think their issue ought to be more with their commute than the city.

 

[ycbm]

For those who are still in doubt about the economic impact of the Coronation.

upday.com

f7td5.app.goo.gl

One supplier in that article quoting £1m pounds of goods sold. £200,000 in VAT alone, plus income tax and NI on additional hours worked by the suppliers, the manufacturer and others down the distribution chain.

 

[Dasher66]

We already have the soldiers, the cathedrals, the royals and the carriages. I think it’s good that they are taken out to be used every so often and it is wise to take every precaution when strapping eight horses to a heavyweight, valuable antique.
Im not going to buy the mugs but I will make the quiche.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

In ordinary years, the pageantry of the special events provides PR and advertising which is practically invaluable. There will be people visiting the UK for years to come who were triggered, consciously or unconsciously, by the pictures of the coronation.

I am not a Royalist, I won't be swearing any kind of allegiance, but President Blair or Johnson fill me with horror and I can recognise a good financial deal when I see one.

Soemtimes we really don't see the value of what is in front of our noses. On the one hand the Royal Family are a bunch of ordinary, flawed human beings with more privilege than anyone has a right to. (Though I think it would be the WORST job in the world to be frank, Especially the heirs). On the other hand they are living history. The history of the Royal Family is utterly extraordinary, from William The Conqueror onwards. The coronation of this king is part of the same process as every other coronation - which all took place in Westminster Abbey. The Sceptre and Orb have been used since 1661.

Visiting dead National Trust houses and hearing/learning about days gone by, is interesting in a way. But the fact that those royal buildings and traditions are alive and still in use, is remarkable.

From a tourism perspective, visiting the buildings where stuff used to happen in the days Britain still had a monarchy would be just nothing like visiting London now, and watching the Changing of The Guard or Troooping the Colour. Not to mention these special events which still attract HUGE interest and attention in Britain and all around the world. Weddings, Jubilees and - biggest of all - Coronations - link us in an unbroken line back to 1066. Buckingham Palace is still a palace. Not a place where the Queen/King used to live. And 1000x more interesting for that.

 

[Cortez]

*Warning: arcane historical facts incoming (I'm a historian, probably only interesting to me).

Most of the original English coronation regalia was melted down by Cromwell after the regicide of King Charles I, but the oldest thing in the panoply is the annointing spoon, used from the time of Edward the Confessor.

 

[Fransurrey]

I will be celebrating my birthday by not watching the Coronation. Turning 39 for the second year in a row. Happy birthday, me, you get a king. All I ever bloody wanted.

Aw come on. At the very least you can swagger around your local town pretending the bunting is all for you!

 

[scruffyponies]

Republicans would do well to remember that following the regicide, Cromwell set himself up as 'king in all but name'. This way we get one who never chose it and hasn't any actual power. Anyone who feels hard done by that they don't have a pretty carriage should start talking to their local driving group (or coaching if you fancy playing dress-up). They always need more people.

 

[Cortez]

Republicans would do well to remember that following the regicide, Cromwell set himself up as 'king in all but name'.

Erm, actually he specifically refused the crown on three separate occasions. He may have behaved in a dictatorial manner but he was adamantly opposed to kingship.

 

[scruffyponies]

Erm, actually he specifically refused the crown on three separate occasions. He may have behaved in a dictatorial manner but he was adamantly opposed to kingship.

I'm sure his ideological objection made a massive difference those suffering under him (he banned alcohol, theatre, dancing and Christmas) as he wielded absolute power, and the transfer of his position to his son upon his death was based on pure merit.

Putin doesn't call himself tzar either, and he always gets well over 100% in free and fair elections.

 

[dogatemysalad]

I’m glad you’re not running the country, it Is dangerous not to value morale. And people literally camp out on the streets to watch this kinda stuff. I don’t get it but it’s rarely the well off sat in the cold waiting for their glimpse at “history” … 60 quid wont change their life but the memories of the week they camped on a pavement to see a fancy coach probably will be talked about to their grandchildren etc. the Economy is actually recovering and 60 quid won’t change anyones life, its a fallacy that removing everything fun out of the world and replacing it with the odd hand out here and there will improve more lives.

Your post struck a cord with me about the value of morale. In times of hardship, celebrations are even more vital to raise morale.
In my small world, it's been a difficult year. House and wheelchair bound for months, whilst NHS strikes have delayed each stage of my treatment, but I'm ridiculously buoyant this week. The village is covered in flags and everyone is having a mass picnic with an optional table tennis tournament. On Saturday I'm going to another relatives village with picnic, live screening of the coronation and music.
The best part is that it's all free. Everyone brings a plate and no one is excluded because they are too young or too old, or because they can't afford it.
Joining in isn't compulsory, but for those who want to, it is a chance to enjoy a celebration.

 

[Cortez]

I'm sure his ideological objection made a massive difference those suffering under him (he banned alcohol, theatre, dancing and Christmas) as he wielded absolute power, and the transfer of his position to his son upon his death was based on pure merit.

Putin doesn't call himself tzar either, and he always gets well over 100% in free and fair elections.

I'm sorry but I'm missing your point here.

Cromwell himself had nothing to do with the fact that his son was (extremely briefly) asked to assume his father's role, and actually Parliament was (still is) the ultimate wielder of power, albeit under the firm influence of Cromwell at the time.

The Commonwealth was actually all about the ideology, so Cromwell was making a huge point by deliberately and pointedly not taking the kingship.

I'm not at all sure what Putin has to do with anything?

 

[Clodagh]

Someone once said something about ‘Bread and circuses’. . My son quoted it at me last night.
So from Wikipedia, for those who are interested…

"Bread and circuses" (or bread and games; from Latin: panem et circenses) is a metonymic phrase referring to superficial appeasement. It is attributed to Juvenal (Satires, Satire X), a Roman poet active in the late first and early second century CE, and is used commonly in cultural, particularly political, contexts.

 

[dogatemysalad]

Someone once said something about ‘Bread and circuses’. . My son quoted it at me last night.
So from Wikipedia, for those who are interested…

"Bread and circuses" (or bread and games; from Latin: panem et circenses) is a metonymic phrase referring to superficial appeasement. It is attributed to Juvenal (Satires, Satire X), a Roman poet active in the late first and early second century CE, and is used commonly in cultural, particularly political, contexts.

I find that quote quite insulting. We cannot live life in a state of permanent misery, bemoaning the failings of our society. Enjoying a celebration does not mean that the people are unthinking, easily distracted plebs.
There's a time for being earnest and a time for being happy. The two can coexist.

 

[scruffyponies]

I'm not at all sure what Putin has to do with anything?

My point is that you can call someone king without having them as a despot (e.g. our current constitutional monarchy) and plenty of supposedly 'better' systems have resulted in the election or appointment of someone who exercises unrestrained or even malevolent power.

 

[conniegirl]

Living in a perpetual state of misery is not sustainable.

A celebration & a coming together of community can massively improve morale and allow people to see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Some people seem to believe that as a people we should be completely self flagellating, sell off or destroy everything valuable or pretty, destroy the economy and live in misery and depression to atone for sins that some peoples ancestors have committed.

Id prefer to keep moving forward. Building a better and brighter future. And yes that involves parties, community and pretty things.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Just coming in to whinge about the shi!!y timing for students who have exams. Yet another Monday of missed lessons (not to mention the strike days), right before the GCSEs. My students wanted to know why it couldn't after the exams.

 

[Clodagh]

I find that quote quite insulting. We cannot live life in a state of permanent misery, bemoaning the failings of our society. Enjoying a celebration does not mean that the people are unthinking, easily distracted plebs.
There's a time for being earnest and a time for being happy. The two can coexist.

I told my son he was a miserable so and so and lots of people will get a lot of pleasure from the day. I’ll enjoy the parade.

 

[Indy]

I'm quite excited about the Coronation, I've no idea why, deep down I want to be outraged by the whole event.

I think I'm turning into my mum.

 

[LadyGascoyne]

I’m firmly on the side of celebration.

Personally, I find the trend to constantly point out every failing and focus on misery and negativity very tiring.

I have lived in countries where people face extreme poverty and danger, and I have been consistently surprised and humbled by the resilience of those people and their ability to find joy despite living in the gravest of circumstances.

I do think that we, in this country, need to find a balance between very rightly raising issues and challenging injustices, and having the ability to let ourselves enjoy things.

 

[AmyMay]

I’m firmly on the side of celebration.

Personally, I find the trend to constantly point out every failing and focus on misery and negativity very tiring.

I have lived in countries where people face extreme poverty and danger, and I have been consistently surprised and humbled by the resilience of those people and their ability to find joy despite living in the gravest of circumstances.

I do think that we, in this country, need to find a balance between very rightly raising issues and challenging injustices, and having the ability to let ourselves enjoy things.

 

[Red-1]

Your post struck a cord with me about the value of morale. In times of hardship, celebrations are even more vital to raise morale.
In my small world, it's been a difficult year. House and wheelchair bound for months, whilst NHS strikes have delayed each stage of my treatment, but I'm ridiculously buoyant this week. The village is covered in flags and everyone is having a mass picnic with an optional table tennis tournament. On Saturday I'm going to another relatives village with picnic, live screening of the coronation and music.
The best part is that it's all free. Everyone brings a plate and no one is excluded because they are too young or too old, or because they can't afford it.
Joining in isn't compulsory, but for those who want to, it is a chance to enjoy a celebration.

This is what I was trying to convey in my post. We can stay with the mundane. But, I see so many people with depression, or sadness, or fed up, or whatever. I think this too is a killer. Many of the people I see are not poor, some are.

Morale is a huge boost.

 

[Peglo]

I’m firmly on the side of celebration.

Personally, I find the trend to constantly point out every failing and focus on misery and negativity very tiring.

I do think that we, in this country, need to find a balance between very rightly raising issues and challenging injustices, and having the ability to let ourselves enjoy things.

So well put LG. I live life by any chance to pop the prosecco I will.
Oh Tali’s looking cute today
cats look happy
prince Charles coronation
Just at the weekend of course

 

[dogatemysalad]

I’m firmly on the side of celebration.

Personally, I find the trend to constantly point out every failing and focus on misery and negativity very tiring.

I have lived in countries where people face extreme poverty and danger, and I have been consistently surprised and humbled by the resilience of those people and their ability to find joy despite living in the gravest of circumstances.

I do think that we, in this country, need to find a balance between very rightly raising issues and challenging injustices, and having the ability to let ourselves enjoy things.

Absolutely. I have lived in two countries where people faced very real danger and poverty in their daily lives. Both (very different societies ) seemed to love to celebrate at any opportunity and had a very strong sense of community before self.

I don't think those who object to the coronation come from one socio-economic group though. Wealthy or broke, some people don't like communal celebrations, while others see political opportunity in every facet of their daily living.

 

[ycbm]

I’m firmly on the side of celebration.

Personally, I find the trend to constantly point out every failing and focus on misery and negativity very tiring.

I have lived in countries where people face extreme poverty and danger, and I have been consistently surprised and humbled by the resilience of those people and their ability to find joy despite living in the gravest of circumstances.

I do think that we, in this country, need to find a balance between very rightly raising issues and challenging injustices, and having the ability to let ourselves enjoy things.

Here here! Well said.
.

 

[Goldenstar]

I'm quite excited about the Coronation, I've no idea why, deep down I want to be outraged by the whole event.

I think I'm turning into my mum.

That happens .

 

[Goldenstar]

I’m firmly on the side of celebration.

Personally, I find the trend to constantly point out every failing and focus on misery and negativity very tiring.

I have lived in countries where people face extreme poverty and danger, and I have been consistently surprised and humbled by the resilience of those people and their ability to find joy despite living in the gravest of circumstances.

I do think that we, in this country, need to find a balance between very rightly raising issues and challenging injustices, and having the ability to let ourselves enjoy things.

I agree I lived for three years where you saw extreme poverty and suffering every time you walked out the gate .
It taught me a lot .

 

[teapot]

This is interesting advertising for an Irish company (make need to make the pic bigger to see the whole thing) if real that is *twitter disclaimer etc*

https://twitter.com/x/status/1654458839410810890

 

[AmyMay]

Rather tasteless…