Will Camilla shun her traditional ivory sceptre at Charles’s coronation?

Will Camilla shun her traditional ivory sceptre at Charles’s coronation? Speculation grows she will be first Queen Consort since 1685 not to use ornamental staff – in a bid to appease ‘elephant-loving’ William

  • King Charles’ Coronation on May 6 is being shortened in a bid to modernise it
  • But more virtue-signalling may see the ivory sceptre shunned by Camilla
  • The veto on its use allegedly comes from ‘elephant-loving [Prince] William’ 

Queen Consort Camilla could shun her traditional ivory sceptre at King Charles’s Coronation in a bid to appease ‘elephant-loving’ Prince William. 

It would be the latest move away from tradition, with the May 6 service already trimmed by at least an hour to modernise it, while the Queen Consort will not wear the controversial Koh-i-Noor diamond after India warned it would bring back ‘painful memories’ of British colonialism. 

Camilla will wear Queen Mary’s crown – which has been artfully recrafted for her -rather than the Queen Consort having a new crown commissioned as is traditional. 

But now, King Charles’s Coronation may see another innovation introduced in obeisance to virtue-signalling culture. 

Private Eye claims that the ivory sceptre used by every Queen Consort since 1685 will be notable by its absence. 

King Charles’ Coronation has been trimmed by at least an hour in a bid to modernise service, while Queen Consort Camilla could shun her traditional ivory sceptre

The veto on the ivory sceptre's (pictured) use allegedly comes from 'elephant-loving [Prince] William', according to Private Eye

The veto on the ivory sceptre’s (pictured) use allegedly comes from ‘elephant-loving [Prince] William’, according to Private Eye

More startling still, the veto on its use allegedly comes from ‘elephant-loving [Prince] William’, according to the magazine. 

The new Prince of Wales is certainly a steadfast and vociferous critic of the contemporary ivory trade — particularly the killing of endangered species by poachers in pursuit of cash, and those who profit from this.

Only last August William spoke of his satisfaction at a five-year prison sentence handed out in a U.S. court to Moazu Kromah, a Ugandan who’d conspired to traffic millions of dollars’ worth of elephant ivory and rhino horn.

But even those who support this admirable campaign may wonder why it should preclude the use of a sceptre made more than 330 years ago — a royal artefact which, far from being in danger of being sold for profit, is securely housed in the Tower of London’s Jewel House.

Designed by the royal goldsmith Sir Robert Vyner, for Mary of Modena, consort of James II, the sceptre is formed from three sections of ivory. 

Just over 3ft long, it is topped by a dove which represents the Holy Spirit.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman describes the magazine report as ‘inaccurate’, but declines to be more specific.

Who knows: perhaps every member of the Royal Family now opposes the use of ancient ivory?

Queen Mary's crown (pictured) - which has been artfully recrafted for Camilla - will be used for the Coronation again but without the Koh-i-Noor diamond

Queen Mary’s crown (pictured) – which has been artfully recrafted for Camilla – will be used for the Coronation again but without the Koh-i-Noor diamond

Designed by the royal goldsmith Sir Robert Vyner, for Mary of Modena, consort of James II (pictured), the sceptre is formed from three sections of ivory

Designed by the royal goldsmith Sir Robert Vyner, for Mary of Modena, consort of James II (pictured), the sceptre is formed from three sections of ivory

As for the Koh-i-Noor, one of the largest cut diamonds in the world, Buckingham Palace opted against its use at the Coronation 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 since only ever been worn by female family members.

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