Queen Consort Camilla could break a centuries-old tradition by not holding the traditional ivory sceptre for the Coronation, in order to appease Prince William and his passion for wildlife conservation.
Private Eye reported that the sceptre has been used by every Queen Consort since 1685 and the veto came from the Prince of Wales. But a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace has called the magazine report “inaccurate”.
According to The Express, the Coronation ceremony has already been altered to suit a modern audience with the service time shortened and the Queen Consort declining to wear the famous Koh-i-Noor diamond to avoid offence over colonialism.
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In its place, the Queen Consort will wear Queen Mary’s crown which has been recrafted instead of having a new crown commissioned, which is is another nod to King Charles’ environmental efforts.
Prince William has been a fierce critic of the ivory trade, whether regarding elephants or rhinos. Last year he welcomed the decision of a US court to convict Ugandan Moazu Kromah for conspiracy to traffic millions of dollars worth of elephant tusk and rhino horn.
The 330 year old ivory sceptre is housed in the Tower of London and was designed by goldsmith, Sir Robert Vyner for Mary of Modena, Queen Consort of King James II. It was built in three sections with a dove at the top representing the Holy Spirit.
During the Coronation the Queen Consort will also be handed a gold sceptre which is topped with a cross, a symbol of the sovereign’s good governance and temporal power. After marrying Charles in 2005, Camilla said she would use the title Princess Consort when Charles became King.
But after 17 years as a hard-working Royal, Camilla has gained popularity with the British public after previous perception as ‘the other woman’ during the marriage of Charles and Diana. The late Queen Elizabeth recognised Camilla’s efforts and announced that she would take the title of Queen Consort when Charles took the crown.
Buckingham Palace has confirmed that the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort will take place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, May 6. The service will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
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