It is reported that hotels on the intended route of the Royal Wedding planned for April 2011 are doing a roaring trade. It will be a great day in London and a national holiday. What would be the position if, having booked a room on the route in order to watch the procession, the wedding was called off for some reason or the route was altered?
An interesting old series of cases in the law of contract offers a clue to the answer. They are collectively known as the Coronation cases, since they arose out of the cancelled Coronation of King Edward VII (1841-1910) which was initially planned for 26 June 1902. It was cancelled because Edward developed appendicitis. The Coronation eventually took place in August.
