Hungarian coronation gifts for King Charles III clarified

New details have emerged regarding the gifts presented by former Hungarian President Katalin Novák for the 2023 coronation of King Charles III. While initial protocol plans included a luxury carriage and a Lipizzan horse team, the British Royal Court requested more modest gifts to avoid excessive expense. Consequently, the official gifts provided at the ceremony were personalized hiking boots for the King and Queen Camilla, along with a small figurine and a photo book.

Despite the change in the initial ceremony gifts, two Lipizzan horses, Nelson and Iveco, were eventually gifted to the British monarch by Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky to strengthen equestrian ties between Hungary and the United Kingdom. This effort was supported by Dávid Cseri, the former director of the Szilvásvárad State Stud Farm.

Recent reports regarding a potential dispute over the horses have been addressed by the Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture. While a letter regarding the termination of a loan agreement was reportedly drafted, the ministry clarified that this was a clerical error that was subsequently corrected. Buckingham Palace has confirmed that the horses remain in their care and are being well maintained.