Disagreement over attempt to limit coronation medals: King Charles ‘angry’ that some members of the armed forces and police might miss out on memorial honours.
It is said that King Charles was angry that some members of the armed forces and police might miss out on special coronation commemorative medals.
Details of the medal were expected to be released so far, but a row over government funding is said to be hampering the plans.
There are fears that decorating hundreds of thousands of regulars could cost up to £35m – and that there just wasn’t enough metal to do it.
However, sources close to the monarch said he wanted all front-line personnel working in the police, fire and emergency services, prison services and the armed forces to receive a medal – just as they were during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee last year. They said: The king is angry with him. He believes that all service personnel who participate in coronations should be decorated for doing so, in the manner of previous ceremonies.
It is said that King Charles was angry that some members of the armed forces and police might miss out on special commemorative coronation medals
Details of the medal were expected to be released so far, but a row over government funding is said to be hampering the plans
While around 120,000 medals were issued at the Queen’s Coronation in 1953, only 10,000 are expected this time around – although sources dispute this number.
These are expected to go to the key people involved in the big day, as well as members of the royal family.
Last night, Soila Braverman’s Home Office, sources said, resisted Defense Secretary Ben Wallace’s attempts to award each member medals.
They said: Ben insists that everyone in the armed forces receive a medal – about 220 thousand. But other departments, led by Soella in the Home Office, are trying to block it.
“It’s pure malice, because they don’t want to be seen as bad by the Department of Defense.”
However, Home Office sources said that while they supported the plans, they had raised concerns about how it would be funded amid fears that the money would slip out of existing budgets.
One of them said: ‘We support the awarding of coronation decorations to members of the armed forces and other uniformed officers. Together with other departments, we have requested a whole-of-government approach to providing funding for these medals.
The medal is not expected to be ready in time for May 6, but will be delivered at a later date. Its design has yet to be revealed, but the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said it was still examining options.
While around 120,000 medals were issued at the Queen’s Coronation in 1953, only 10,000 are expected this time around – although sources dispute this number.
The Coronation Medal was presented to Queen Elizabeth II when she was crowned. It featured a picture of the Queen on one side and her royal symbol on the other, and it was given to members of the royal family, government officials and members of the armed forces.
Coronation medals have been issued to every British monarch since the coronation of King George IV in 1821. They have also been issued by other Commonwealth countries, such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Medals have also been issued to celebrate the silver, gold and diamond jubilees of the late Queen.
A DCMS spokesperson said: ‘As with other major state events, we are considering options for the Coronation Medal. More details will be announced in due course.
A source disputed the £35m figure and said officials had not raised the issue of the metal.
