After more than a year of spiralling bills and alarming inflation, plenty of Brits have questioned whether the Coronation is worth the cost. Millions of people across the country have endured a tough year with price hikes for food, energy, fuel, rent and mortgages.
In many corners of Greater Manchester, that pain has been sharply felt. King Charles III's Coronation is expected to cost tens of millions of pounds - with some estimates reaching levels as high as £250 million.
The staggering contrast between pomp and poverty has been a key concern for anti-monarchy protesters this weekend, including the small gathering at Piccadilly Gardens yesterday (May 6). While hundreds watched events unfold on big screens in the city centre, the small, peaceful demonstration made its concerns clear.
READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community
Azza Essakhi, 27, was 'quite shocked' so many people were supportive of the Coronation in Manchester given the city's history of anti-establishment protest. Azza said: "I've never been a royalist, but I think now especially more than ever - we are living in a cost of living crisis.
"We've got teachers, nurses, train drivers, public sector workers on strike demanding more pay that they deserve. They're told they can't have it.
"But then we've got £250 million for this weekend. Then there's also the cost of actually keeping the royal family afloat - and they are quite an extensive family."
Azza also insisted that suggestions Charles was looking to 'downsize' the monarchy were yet to amount to anything. "I just think we don't live in 1066 anymore, we don't need a King to lead us," Azza added.
Manchester's protest was a small fraction of the size of demonstrations seen in London yesterday, where demonstrators wore yellow 'Not My King' t-shirts. But the strength of feeling was just as powerful after such a difficult year across the country.
Last week, the Trussell Trust said 750,000 people across the country had been forced to use its food banks for the first time over the past 12 months, a year which saw the charity hand out more food parcels than ever before. Graham Smith, chief executive of anti-monarchy campaign group Republic, told the Big Issue the coronation was a 'slap in the face' for the millions struggling to make ends meet.
He was among 52 people arrested for affray, public order offences, breach of the peace or conspiracy to cause a public nuisance around the Coronation by the Metropolitan Police, which has been criticised for the detentions. On release last night, Mr Smith claimed there was 'no longer a right to peaceful protest in the UK'.
Labour shadow health secretary Wes Streeting told Sky News this morning it was important for police to provide 'accountability' over concerns raised about how protesters at the coronation were treated, while Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper admitted she had 'some concerns'. But Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has denied that police went too far.
She told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme: "What they had to do was to police an international event on the world stage and I think they took that into account in their policing. What they have to do is balance the right to protest, which is important in a democracy.
"At the same time there’s the right of all those other people to enjoy what was a fabulous day. I think, overall, they managed to get that balance right.”
READ NEXT:
What's happening on the posh city centre street with so many 'to let signs'
"I finally tried 'Greater Manchester's best burger'. Part of me wishes I hadn't"
Prince William and Kate Middleton share 'breathtaking' behind-the-scenes Coronation footage
Inside the huge new Rudy's pizzeria with a unique Italian feature
