09 April 2023 , 21:33
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One of Queen Camilla’s crown jewels has sparked controversy and could cause upset as it clashes with a cause close to Prince William’s heart.
A slew of new details have been released about King Charles’ upcoming Coronation, taking place on May 6.
This has included specifics on the coronation route, and much of the finery and royal items that will be used.
This includes priceless jewels and golden carriages - as Brits struggle through a cost of living crisis - and one item in particular has already come under fire.
Camilla will hold a gold sceptre surmounted by a cross and a second staff made of ivory and topped by a dove, during the coronation being staged at Westminster Abbey.
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The controversial Queen Consort's Rod with a Dove (Royal Collection Trust)Organisers have defended the use of ivory, despite the Prince of Wales running his own campaign to stop the illegal trafficking of animal parts like it.
Last August, William hailed a “landmark” illegal wildlife trade sentencing that saw a man jailed for five years for conspiring to traffic millions of dollars worth of rhinoceros horns and elephant ivory.
The future king conducts his work for wildlife and conservation causes under his United for Wildlife project.
Britain is also at the forefront of global conservation efforts after the Ivory Act 2018 brought in, from June 6 last year, a near-total ban in the dealing of items containing elephant ivory.
The Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross which will be carried by Camilla during the Coronation (PA)
Queen Mary's Crown, which Camilla will wear during the Coronation (PA)But Camilla will carry the ivory sceptre..
They form part of the Royal Collection and have traditionally been held at the Tower of London which is managed by Historic Royal Palaces.
A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman tried to justify the use by saying it “reflected the taste at the time” - thought to be the 17th century.
They said: “As with any historical collection of its size, it is to be expected that the Royal Collection includes items that contain ivory as this reflected the taste at the time.”
This comes as organisers intend to use the Coronation to honour tradition, but embrace modernity.
As well as carrying on practises from years past, it will also have its own special Twitter emoji.
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The Coronation procession will feature hundreds of members of the armed forces from the UK, Commonwealth and British Overseas Territories, as well as the Sovereign’s Bodyguard and Royal Watermen.
Treasures from the Crown Jewels on display include the Sovereign’s Orb, the Golden Spurs, bracelets known as armills, two maces and five swords.
The Sovereign’s Ring, the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross and the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Dove will also feature.
The 74-year-old monarch will be crowned in the 17th-century St Edward’s Crown, which has been resized for him, before switching to the lighter Imperial State Crown at the end of the ceremony.
Meanwhile the 75-year-old Camilla will be crowned with the Queen Mary’s Crown as she carries the controversial rod.
The Royal couple will travel from Buckingham Palace, along The Mall through Admiralty Arch, around Trafalgar Square, along Whitehall and through Parliament Square to arrive at Westminster Abbey.
When they reverse the route to return, they will use a second extravagant carriage - the 260-year-old Gold State Coach.
They will also take a procession route that is 1.3 miles - a quarter of that that the late Queen Elizabeth II took.