The coronation of Charles III angers the midwife Ollie
- author, Jamie Moreland and Yzmina Garcia
- roll, BBC News
Millions of people are expected to attend the coronation of King Charles III on May 6, next Saturday. While some reveal that they will enjoy the crowds, parties, pomp, and celebration, others say they will do anything to avoid the occasion.
BBC News has spoken to four people who will not be attending the royal ceremony.
“It’s a huge waste of public money.”
Ollie has no plans to turn on TV. She argues that the monarchy is an outdated institution that must be abolished.
“I think it’s a huge waste of public money,” says the 51-year-old from Stroud, England.
For Oli, the king is a hereditary, undemocratic and elitist head of state.
“You have the small elite group at the helm of our society that thrives while others struggle to make ends meet and put food on the table,” she says.
As a midwife on the NHS, the UK’s public health system, she says taxpayers’ money could be better spent.
“The royal family has their own personal wealth, and yet we, the taxpayers, have to fund this show in the midst of a financial crisis,” she says.
Instead of being watched, she will be on call at the hospital to help deliver the babies.
Better sleep and eat cake
Tariq says he would rather watch a three-hour movie than watch the king’s coronation
Tariq Ahmed says he “didn’t care enough to spend hours watching”.
“I’d rather sleep and eat scones,” explains the 21-year-old marketing executive from Kent in the southwest of England.
Tariq says he has not yet decided whether or not to support the royal family.
He says: “If they’re making money for the country great. It means more money for bodies like the NHS and education. But if not, I don’t want them. I don’t know the answer,” he says.
A YouGov poll, commissioned by the BBC’s Panorama programme, indicates broad support for retaining the monarchy, with 58% preferring the current system to an elected head of state – which was supported by 26%.
Tarek plans to spend Saturday morning watching the latest movie in the Avatar series with his family. But then he should look at the summary of how the coronation went.
“Maybe I’ll look at the highlights of the moment the crown goes to his head—it’s a historic moment.”
Despite his views on the coronation, Tariq looks forward to the bank holiday.
“We’re going to get an extra day off and the whole country deserves it,” he says.
I don’t think Charles deserves to be king.
Joanna will fly to the Philippines rather than “waste time” with the coronation
Joanna Firmino says she does not like King Charles and does not want to see him crowned.
“I don’t think it would be a good role model,” says the 21-year-old waitress from Kent in the south of England.
Joan was a fan of Queen Elizabeth II and was “very upset” when she passed away.
But she fears King Charles is “not making the right decisions” because of his turbulent relationship with his first wife, Diana, Princess of Wales.
She believes his son, Prince William, will make him a “much better monarch.”
“If William was being crowned, I would definitely watch it,” she says. “But I don’t want to spend hours watching someone I really don’t like being crowned king when I think they don’t deserve it.”
Instead, Joanna is going on vacation to the Philippines.
“I’m not going to waste my time,” she says. “I’m going to enjoy the sunny weather and tropical beaches.”
I’ll be busy working on Eurovision
Luke will be “crowded” with rehearsals for the Liverpool Music Festival
Luke Dudley will act as a spotlight operator at the Eurovision music festival and says back-to-back rehearsals won’t allow him to attend the ceremony.
“It’s a very tight schedule that we followed religiously,” he explains.
The 27-year-old from Manchester, Northern England, works in the lighting department, providing key lighting for performers and presenters on stage.
Luke saw King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla as they opened the stage at the Eurovision show in Liverpool
Luke is disappointed that he is missing an “important period of our history”.
“Friends and family had planned parties, so it’s a shame. I love the pomp and the party and the whole spectacle,” he says.
Although Luke was unable to attend the coronation ceremonies, he says he “couldn’t pass up an opportunity like Eurovision”.
“I couldn’t be more excited. There’s nothing quite like it.”
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