I agree with you, jack. It's not my sort of thing, but my DMIL for instance would have loved the chance to be there and would have seen it as a once in a lifetime treat. It's a not-for-profit event anyway and any surplus is going to the Queen's charities - if people want to splash out on a ticket then who's to say they shouldn't?
Many of the same arguments and grumbles were raised before the London Olympics. I was lucky enough to get tickets in the second ballot, spent much more of our savings than I should have done on a three day stay and had a fantastic time, the memories of which will live with me.
You do get fed, jack, I've just checked! Each guest will be given a hamper, and I guess it'll contain more than a mini pork pie and a couple of soggy cheese and tomato sarnies