The entire nation celebrated the coronation of King Charles III with a host of royal-themed events and street parties today.
But Manchester's attitude towards the monarchy, much like many other regions in Britain, tends to vary between devotion and indifference.
So ahead of the huge event today (Saturday), the Manchester Evening News visited Salford's New Barracks estate, home to the real-life Coronation Street, to ask residents about their thoughts on the Kings’ upcoming coronation.
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“Younger generations are definitely more indifferent to the coronation,” Adam Ginniver told the MEN. “I’m not interested in whether it happens or not and I don’t know many people who do. I can’t relate to Charles Windsor, or the royal family - they stand out of touch.”
When students Josh, 22, and Shalamar, 20, were asked whether they would be tuning in to watch the coronation, Shalamar said: “We were thinking of having a barbecue if the weather is nice and watching some parts on the TV to give us something to do.
“We’re not overly interested though we get it’s a moment in history - we’re more neutral to the event, but it gives people some time to spend with others.”
Working on the street sharing the name with one of the most beloved British TV soaps, Oli Wiercioch-Giles, owner of S&P Utilities and Civils, said while the upcoming enthronement has captured the ‘world's attention’, ‘little’ can be said here.
“It’s a national moment for Britain, but I don’t think the UK supports it like our neighbours in Australia - I’ve seen so many that ask about the royal family there.
“But young people are distancing themselves from the monarchy the same way the gap between the rich and poor is increasing. The rich seem to be getting richer, and the poor are getting poorer.”
The MEN encountered a further group of students living on the street, and while many said to be indifferent to the historic moment, others were more critical of the monarchy and its prevalence in modern-day society.
Jova Bostanci, originally from Scarborough, saw the coronation as 'disguting' during a time when households across the UK continue to struggle with cost-of-living pressures. Jova, 22, said it was 'unfair' the event will essentially be funded by the taxpayer.
“I think it’s disgusting - they say they’re for us but they’re not. They say they can’t afford to put more money into education and our healthcare systems but can throw away the taxpayers' money for an event.
“The state of the country right now means people can’t put their heating on and have to make tough decisions on what their money can be used for.
“How much money they’ve spent on it is unnecessary. It’s very small minded using all that money when they could have worked around this event by incorporating supporting the public at this moment."
Student Joe Mulholland, said: “People are seeing millions of pounds being spent on a celebration when they’re making difficult decisions between bills and eating. It’s hard seeing the difference.
“On the news it’s portrayed this massively positive event but in reality a lot of people don’t have significant care for the event. I think through the crisis we’re experiencing now, people are a bit sick of the financial contrasts being shoved in their faces.”
Gabby, 22, said: “I honestly think it’s a big joke given the economic climate in the UK. It sort of reminds me of propaganda, the event acts to show the country is doing well when it’s not. There’s so many people homeless and jobless, struggling and the situation is worsening.
“I think it’s come at the worst time, it highlights the huge contrast between the rich and the poor, which is becoming bigger. Money is spent for themselves on a big scale, there are other things money could be spent on which is more important.”
A Palace spokesperson has previously said that global interest in the celebration would more than repay the money spent on the occasion.
They would not comment on the total cost but said: “I’ve seen a number of different estimated figures floating around, some more fanciful than others. The true figures will be shared in due course where expenditure relates to the Sovereign Grant or government costs.” The Sovereign Grant is the set amount of money given to the King each year to support his official business.
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