London — On Saturday, Charles III will be crowned as the 40th British monarch since 1066. His coronation will be gifted with a large amount of jewels and royal regalia.
There is a crown, a scepter, a cross, a sword, a chair and a gold plate. Also includes a special edition of the Bible, a golden chariot, a spoon, an amir (a type of medieval bracelet), a spur, and holy oil.
We saw some of these items adorning the Queen’s coffin at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral on September 19, 2022.
Her coffin was covered with flags of the Royal Standard, featuring three golden lions from England, a red lion from Scotland, and a harp from Ireland.
Sitting on the flag was the great imperial crown worn by the monarch at the end of the coronation ceremony, on formal occasions such as the opening of the Houses of Parliament.
“The Queen’s Coronation 1953”
courtesy photo
The crown is adorned with gems from around the world, including the Cullinan II diamond, cut from the world’s largest diamond found in Cullinan, South Africa in 1905. and the Ruby of the Black Prince, which is actually a spinel. Until 1783, all red stones were called rubies. The stone was given to Edward III by King Peter of Castile in 1376.
Also included is a Stuart sapphire behind the crown and a St. Edward sapphire in the center of the cross above the crown. The latter is the oldest gemstone in the Royal Collection.
The scepter has been used in all coronations since 1661. However, in 1910 King George V added the Cullinan I diamond, the largest colorless cut his diamond in the world. The scepter is a symbol of the monarch’s power.
Orbs and crosses represent divine powers. First used by Henry VIII for his own coronation in 1509. The orb is adorned with 375 pearls, 365 diamonds, 18 rubies, 9 emeralds, 9 sapphires, 1 amethyst and his 1 glass.
During the coronation ceremony, the monarch wears the St Edward’s Crown, which is only used to crown a new king or queen. increase.
Carol Woolton, author and host of the If Jewels Could Talk podcast, said: Placing the crown of St. Edward on the monarch’s head is a moment of transformation.
“All the royal regalia were melted down by Oliver Cromwell, so it is clear that they were made for Charles II.” [during the Interregnum]It was made with almost the same design as a medieval crown, and we recovered some of the stone that was sold to the people,” Woolton added.
Cromwell sold the crown as a symbol of overthrowing the monarchy during the English Civil War. However, the monarchy was restored in his 1660, when Charles II was exiled and ruled.
In 1911, George V wore the crown again for the first time in 200 years. He set permanent stones rather than borrowed gems.
Queen Mary’s crown containing 2,200 diamonds, including the famous Kohinoor, Cullinan III and Cullinan IV gemstones.
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Queen Camilla joins her husband at the coronation wearing the Queen Mary crown made by Garrard for the 1911 coronation. ruled by the British Empire.
Camilla’s crown was instead set with Cullinan III, IV and V diamonds and was often worn as a brooch in homage to Queen Elizabeth II.
According to Buckingham, “Her Majesty’s selection of Queen Mary’s crown was such that, for sustainability and efficiency, the existing crown would be used for the consort’s coronation, instead of creating a new commission.” It’s the first time in recent history.” castle.
Woolton said the decision to use the existing crown was “very important and true to King Charles’ sustainable ‘repair somehow’ mentality.” “We use it all the time,” said Woolton.
Queen Mary’s crown is inspired by Queen Alexandra’s 1902 crown. Mary wore her crown at the coronation of her son George VI in 1937.
On Saturday, you can also touch the sword used by her late mother, Queen Elizabeth, when she was made Prince of Wales in 1969. Bible.
A coronation is always a glittering occasion, with the altar of Westminster Abbey and the heads, necks and ceremonial belts of female members of the royal family.
“If you look back at the history of coronations, fashion resembles evening wear, with spectacular gowns and a vast array of truly precious jewels,” says The Queen: 70 Years of Majestic Style and The Queen The Duchess of Cambridge: A Decade of Modern Royal Style”.
Kate Middleton wears Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot tiara at the state dinner at Buckingham Palace.
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However, given the cost of living crisis in the UK, members of the royal family are likely to opt for simpler items in favor of less gaudiness.
The British press has speculated that Kate Middleton will keep a tiara at home and choose a floral headpiece that reflects the king’s love of nature and sustainability.
However, Woolton believes the princess will wear one of Queen Elizabeth’s older tiaras, specifically one of the 1893 Queen Mary of Great Britain and Ireland tiaras.
“It aligns her with the Queen. In a way, as some of these royal jewels are,” Woolton said, uniting generations of royalty and symbolizing continuity.
There is another possibility. Catherine became her favorite, previously worn by Diana on several occasions Queen Her Marys Her Lovers Her Knots , was able to pay her tribute to the Princess of Wales.
