£72m cost of Charles' cut-price Coronation

TAXPAYERS spent £72million on the King's Coronation last May less than half that of the funeral of Queen Elizabeth, according to Government figures.

- Emily Ferguson

More than a third of the cost £21.7million was spent by the Home Office on policing the event, which saw tens of thousands gather in Central London to catch a glimpse of the lavish display.

In the UK, 18 million people watched on TV, with viewing peaking 20.4 million as the King was crowned just after midday.

The remaining £50.3m was spent by the Department of Culture, which organised the set-piece pageantry.