The coronation of Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla last year cost 72 million pounds in tax payers according to a government report.

An annual report from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) shows that it spent £50.3 million on the coronation. This was alongside the £21.7 million in costs for policing the royal event.

The DCMS said it was a “a once-in-a-generation moment which provided an occasion for the entire country to come together in celebration, while ccritics said it was wrong to such spend large sums when the public was facing a cost of living crisis.

The Independent reports: Republic, which campaigns for the abolition of the monarchy, says the £72 million figure is likely “way off”. The group points out that the figure doesn’t include costs incurred by the Ministry of Defence, nor local councils, emergency services, or transport bodies.

All of this would likely push the bill to over £100 million, says Republic. Its chief executive Graham Smith says that the funds could have gone to more worthwhile causes during the cost-of-living crisis, such as funding 27 million free school meals.

“The coronation was a pointless, archaic parade that happened because Charles wanted it,” said Mr Smith. “There was no need for it, only 9 per cent were interested in it according to polls at the time.

“At a time when so many people are struggling with the cost of living crisis, it is shameful that Charles insisted on this pointless extravaganza.

“There are millions living in poverty, while Charles gets huge tax breaks and a personal income from the state owned Duchy of Lancaster. Why is he not paying for his own parade?”