Will Camilla eschew her traditional ivory scepter at Charles’ coronation? Speculation has been mounting that she will be the first queen consort since 1685 not to use a dressing gown – in an effort to appease the ‘elephant-loving’ William
- King Charles’ coronation on 6 May is being shortened in an effort to modernize it
- But more signs of virtue might see the ivory scepter shunned by Camilla
- The veto on its use allegedly comes from ‘elephant-loving Prince William’
The respected Queen Camilla can eschew her traditional ivory scepter at King Charles’ coronation in an attempt to appease the “elephant-loving” Prince William.
It would be the latest step away from tradition, as the May 6 service has already been cut back by at least an hour for its update, while the Queen Consort will no longer wear the controversial diamond Koh-i-Noor after India warned it would ‘pain’ back. Memories of British colonialism.
Camilla will wear the Queen Mary’s tiara – masterfully recreated for her – in place of the Queen Consort who has a new tiara commissioned as is traditional.
But now, King Charles’ coronation may see yet another innovation brought into obedience to the virtue-pointing culture.
Private Eye claims that the ivory scepter used by every queen consort since 1685 will be notable for its absence.
King Charles’ coronation has been shrunk by at least an hour in an effort to modernize the service, while Queen Consort Camilla can eschew her traditional ivory scepter.
The veto over the use of (pictured) ivory allegedly comes from ‘elephant lover (Prince) William’, according to Private Eye
Even more surprising, the veto on its use comes from “elephant-loving Prince William,” according to the magazine.
Certainly the new Prince of Wales is a fierce critic of the contemporary ivory trade – particularly the killing of endangered species by poachers for cash, and those who profit from it.
It was only this past August that William spoke of his satisfaction with a five-year prison sentence handed down in a US court to Mawazo Kroma, the Ugandan who plotted to smuggle millions of dollars in elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn.
But even those who support this impressive campaign may wonder why you should ban the use of a scepter made more than 330 years ago — a royal artifact that, far from being in danger of being sold for profit, resides securely in the Tower of London. The jewel of the house.
Designed by royal goldsmith Sir Robert Viner, for Mary of Modena, consort of James II, the scepter has three sections of ivory.
It is over 3 feet tall and topped with a dove, which represents the Holy Spirit.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman called the magazine’s report “inaccurate”, but refused to be more specific.
Who knows: maybe every member of the royal family is now against the use of aged ivory?
Queen Mary’s tiara (pictured) – masterfully recreated for Camilla – will be used for coronations again but without the Kohinoor
Designed by royal goldsmith Sir Robert Viner, for Mary of Modena, consort of James II (pictured), the sceptre has three sections of ivory
As for the Koh-i-Noor, one of the largest cut diamonds in the world, Buckingham Palace chose not to use it for the coronation ceremony in a bid to avoid a diplomatic row with India.
India claims to be the rightful owner of the 105-carat diamond, which was used in the coronation of the Queen Mother.
Although the iconic silver, gold, diamond, and pearl piece was made for George IV in 1820, it has only been worn by female members of the family since then.
