Published
UKThe crown jewels are the main components of the ceremony
From the Imperial Ceremonial Crown to St. Edward’s, the Crown Jewels would be used throughout Charles III’s coronation.
The imperial, or state, crown was worn by Elizabeth II following her coronation. The late Queen used it on other occasions when she officially opened Parliament.
AFP
Symbols of power and spirituality, Britain’s crown jewels, kept under close watch at the Tower of London, will leave behind the famous monument used during the coronation of Charles III, who was proclaimed king this Saturday, after his mother, Elizabeth II, died on Thursday.
The Imperial State Crown was created for the coronation of King George VI in 1937. The Queen has used it on other occasions when officially opening Parliament.
Weighing just one kilogram and 31.5 centimeters in height, the magnificent crown is studded with 2868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, 269 pearls and four rubies.
Created for the coronation of Charles II in 1661, this golden scepter is symbolized by a dove with outstretched wings perched on a cross, symbolizing the Holy Spirit. It reflects the spiritual and pastoral role of the sovereign. 110 cm in length and 1150 g in weight.
This scepter represents the temporal power of sovereignty. It is used during the coronation of Charles II in 1661. It weighs 1170 grams for a length of 92 centimeters. In 1911, the Cullinan I diamond weighing 530.2 carats was added. A diamond is so large that the scepter must be reinforced to support its weight.
This globe surmounted by a cross represents Christendom. It consists of a plain gold sphere set with emeralds, rubies and sapphires surrounded by diamonds and framed by two rows of pearls. A cross with diamonds, on one side, a sapphire in the center and on the other, an emerald surmounting the globe.
During the coronation ceremony, the orb is placed in the king’s right hand before being placed on the altar. The orb is 27.5 cm high and weighs 1320 grams.
This golden object in the shape of an eagle with spread wings contains the holy oil used during the abishekam of the Lord. The Archbishop of Canterbury pours oil from the eagle’s head into a spoon and anoints the hands, chest and head of the monarch at the solemn moment of the coronation.
The image of the eagle comes from a legend according to which the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Thomas Becket and gave him a golden eagle and a vial of oil to anoint future kings of England.
These golden spurs have been used since the coronation of Richard the Lionheart in 1189.
This gold ring was created for the coronation of William IV in 1831. It is composed of sapphires surrounded by diamonds and rubies forming a cross. During the coronation ceremony, it is placed on the sovereign’s ring finger by the archbishop as a symbol of “royal dignity”.
Created for the coronation of Charles II, St. Edward’s Crown is the most important and most sacred of all crowns. It is used only at the moment of coronation. This solid gold crown, set with semi-precious stones including rubies, amethysts and sapphires and fitted with an ermine band, was particularly heavy to wear: it weighed more than two kilograms.
(AFP)
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