Coronation crisis fears as King Charles's ceremony could be invalidated from ... trends now

A sensational claim that King Charles's coronation could spark a constitutional crisis because of his confession of adultery has been dismissed by leading experts.

On Friday, Anthony Holden, who wrote a biography of the King, sent a letter to The Guardian newspaper arguing that any coronation was likely to be invalid.

Holden wrote: 'The Church of England has never crowned a divorced man as King, let alone one who has publicly confessed to adultery – with the relevant woman expecting to be crowned Queen Consort. 

The late Robert Runcie [the former Archbishop of Canterbury] told me this would require a revision of the coronation oath, which would require a new statute of Parliament.

'Given the convention that Parliament does not debate the monarchy without the monarch's consent, this would require the Prime Minister to seek King Charles's permission. This, Runcie told me, would amount to a constitutional crisis.' 

Holden's views on the monarchy have altered with time. In 2002 he wrote a Guardian article titled 'From flag-waver to republican', stating: 'The more I studied the House of Windsor, the more of a republican I became.'

But Sir Vernon Bogdanor, a research professor at King's College London's Centre for British Politics and Government, dismissed Holden's argument.

He said: 'Charles and Camilla's wedding was followed by a Service of Prayer and Dedication, led by Archbishop Rowan Williams. 

'This surely overrides anything Robert Runcie may or may not have said. 

'It is clear that the King has obeyed the rules of the Church. Rowan Williams is, I think, in a better position to interpret the rules of the Church than Anthony Holden.'

Royal biographer Hugo Vickers said: 'I can't see what the problem is. For many years Holden has held a grudge against the King. To him I would say, times move on.'

Barrister Geoffrey Robertson KC said: 'The coronation is a legal irrelevance, just a silly and superstitious Church of England ritual. Charles has no need at all to be crowned by a minority church.'

A Lambeth Palace spokesman said: 'We can't comment on accounts of a private conversation that Robert Runcie may have had while he was Archbishop from 1980 to 1991. 

'But clearly much has changed since that time – both in society and in the Church of England. 

'The current Archbishop, Justin Welby, is looking forward to crowning King Charles III and the Queen Consort in May.'

How Camilla danced unnoticed at Abba gig, who is favoured to be Duke of Edinburgh and why Archie and Lilibet's titles are OFF the table 'until Meghan and Harry stop firing salvos': REBECCA ENGLISH on King Charles's first 100 days - and what 2023 will bring

By Rebecca English, Royal Editor for the Daily Mail

Just three days before Christmas, a rather unlikely figure could been seen bopping in the aisles at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for the hottest gig in town.

Amazingly, none of the thousands of fans crammed in to watch Abba Voyage — which features the Swedish band's holographic avatars performing live — realised that our very own 'Dancing Queen' Consort was having the time of her life, taking her five grandchildren to the must-see concert as a festive treat.

The outing in East London is a perfect example of how our King and his wife have taken the demands of their new roles in their stride, respecting old traditions while embracing the new — and keeping family (well, most of them) close.

It's already clear that the new 'Carolean era' will represent a more modern monarchy than ever before. And while it has not been without the odd bump — more of which later — courtiers are quietly pleased at how well Charles's first 100 or so days as King have gone.

'Everything His Majesty has done has hit the right tone,' his former communications chief, Kristina Kyriacou, tells me.

'Both the King and Queen Consort have just got on with things and are taking care of business. The King has really come across as the elder statesman and seems to have grown in stature. He has always been a fantastic listener and convener.

'But what we have seen during his first 100 days is him convening everybody in a more statesmanlike way. All the King cares about is serving the British public. He just wants to do the job he sees as his destiny.'

Another well-placed insider says: 'It's definitely been a very strong start. The King has not been afraid to address head-on the concerns that people had about him [as regards his alleged political 'meddling'].

'He has proved his respect for the constitutional guidelines that come with being monarch, emphasised the importance of us living in a multicultural world and promoted religious tolerance.

He's referenced the family when important — such as mentioning Harry and Meghan in his first speech as King — but has simply got on with the job in hand when they have risked becoming a distraction.'

And, of course, Charles has done all of this while privately grieving the loss of his mother.

'It has been a very emotional time for the King,' says one who knows the 74-year-old sovereign well.

'He and his wife have also launched themselves into a physically demanding programme at a time when many of their age are slowing down. The stakes are higher and the scrutiny greater than ever before. But they know how to pace themselves and the Queen Consort, in particular, is very good at getting her husband to take a step back at times.'

Indeed, there's no doubt that Camilla, 75, is proving, much like the Duke of Edinburgh before her, to be the monarch's 'strength and stay'. She has become a 'wise sounding board', says one senior aide, and is also 'just a great companion'.

Another family friend remarks: 'They genuinely have a wonderful relationship and are a great team, but they don't live in each other's pockets. She is also one of the few people who is prepared to stand up to him when the circumstances are right. Plus she has this fantastically close family with teenage grandchildren of her own, which is rather grounding. It's taken quite a while to get there, but I think many people who once thought that Camilla was the problem have come to see that she is actually part of the solution.'

The couple, I am told, will continue to use their own homes (Highgrove for him, Ray Mill for her) as well as royal residences including Windsor and Sandringham. But it is Birkhall in Scotland — all 'muddy wellies, wet dogs and afternoon teas' — that they see as their 'marital home', according to one source.

The question of whether the King's wife will drop the 'Consort' from her title and become known simply as Queen Camilla has yet to be decided. But many in palace circles think this will just happen 'organically', probably after the Coronation.

One source says: 'Some have dropped the 'Consort' already — it's worth noting that she now has 'Queen's Companions' instead of ladies-in-waiting — but there's no fixed plan. I think people will just find themselves saying it naturally.' The distribution of other family titles is also on the back burner, I understand.

I am told that the King has no immediate plans to hand out the Dukedom of Edinburgh that reverted after the death of his father to Queen Elizabeth, and now to him. The late Queen intended for it to be given to the Earl of Wessex, her youngest son, who does a great deal, along with his wife Sophie,

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