The coronation of Elizabeth II was a jaw-dropping spectacle. The soldiers accompanying her carriage marched to the beat of 24 military bands. Inside Westminster AbbeyA large church in London. Many British kings and queens are buried there., 8,250 guests awaited her arrival. In today's money the event cost around £44m.

Details of King Charles's coronation on 6 May 2023 have yet to be announced. Some experts predict that it will be a comparatively modest affair. Others expect it to be as lavishSpending more money than is reasonable. as his mother's, bringing welcome glamour in hard times.

Whichever approach Charles chooses, it will set the tone for his reign. According to the official announcement from Buckingham Palace: "The coronation will reflect the monarch's role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantryBig displays or ceremony. ."

Charles's most immediate problem is his son Harry, whose book Spare will be published on Tuesday. Harry and his wife Meghan have already lambastedStrongly criticised. the royal family in a Netflix documentary.

They claimed that they had received appalling treatment from members of the Buckingham Palace household. They made accusations of racism, and said that Harry had been shouted at by his brother Prince William.

Harry has now given two TV interviews, to be broadcast on Sunday. In clips from them he complains that he and Meghan were not protected from the press in the same way as other royals, and that the family has refused to address their concerns.

Now, reports even suggest that Harry's book will accuse his brother, Prince William, of physically attacking him.

The accusations of racism are especially problematic for a monarch trying to appear in tune with his people. But an opinion poll¹ carried out after the Netflix documentary showed that 50% of people did not trust Harry and Meghan's account, and 59% thought it should never have been made.

A wider question is whether the family should operate in a more modest way, and cost the country less. There has been much discussion of a "slimmed-down" monarchy, in which only a dozen members are paid to play a public role.

And there are demands that the royal family should pay more tax and give up some of their residences. Writing in the Guardian, Stephen Bates even suggests that they should move out of Buckingham Palace: with its 775 rooms and central London position, it would make "an ideal luxury hotel".

Yes: His years as heir to the throne gave him every chance to consider the challenges of the future. He is an intelligent man whose charitable work has given him a real understanding of his people.

No: Support for the British royal family is in terminal decline, particularly among young people. Between 2012 and 2022 it fell from 73% to 62%, with just 33% of 18-to-24-year-olds in favour of it.   

Or... The British monarchy does not need saving. Whatever its shortcomings, it is one thing that sets the country apart, and - as the Queen's funeral showed - British people ultimately have a deep loyalty to it.  

Westminster Abbey - A large church in London. Many British kings and queens are buried there.

Lavish - Spending more money than is reasonable.

Pageantry - Big displays or ceremony.

Lambasted - Strongly criticised.