At the coronation of Charles III. (74) on May 6th in Westminster Abbey numerous valuable relics and insignia are used. Not only do they come from the Tower of London, the Vatican also contributes special details. The coronation procession will include two splinters in the Silver Cross of Wales, believed to be from the cross on which the Bible says Jesus Christ was crucified. Pope Francis (86) has King Charles III. these given for his coronation. Other special items also play a role in the ceremony…
The Edwardian Crown will adorn the head of the new monarch at the coronation. It is considered one of the most recognizable symbols of the British monarchy. Charles will follow royal tradition by wearing the crown at the coronation ceremony before donning the lighter Imperial State Crown to exit Westminster Abbey at the end of the event. The Edwardian Crown has been used at the coronation of British monarchs since the coronation of King Charles II (1630-1685) in 1661. The work of art with a purple velvet hood and an ermine fur border is said to be set with a total of 444 precious and semi-precious stones. When the newly crowned monarch gets the crown, it is symbolic of his accession to the throne.
Charles’ wife Camilla (75), now Queen, will also wear a crown. She chose the piece of jewelery worn by Queen Mary (1867-1953) – wife of King George V (1865-1936) – to the 1911 coronation. Designed by royal jeweler Garrard, the headdress is set with 2,200 diamonds.
“The Ampulla” is a vessel of gold for the oil used in the anointing of the monarch. It has the shape of an eagle and is about 23 centimeters high including the base. The eagle’s head unscrews to fill the oil. The beak serves as a spout. The anointing is the only part of the coronation ceremony that takes place in private.
The coronation spoon is said to be the oldest surviving artifact still used in the ceremony today. It was first mentioned in 1349 as part of the coronation regalia, but was listed as an antique even then. The spoon is also used in the anointing. The holy oil is poured onto the gilded silver spoon before the Archbishop of Canterbury anoints the monarch with it.
The monarch carries the scepter with the cross in his right hand during the coronation. It is part of the collection of crown jewels made by goldsmith Sir Robert Vyner for the coronation of Charles II in 1661. The scepter symbolizes royal power. Numerous precious stones are worked into it, including the 530-carat diamond Cullinan I.
The second scepter seen at the coronation ceremony shows a dove at the top instead of a cross, symbolizing the Holy Spirit. It is set with emeralds, rubies and diamonds. This scepter of gold is carried in the sovereign’s left hand during the coronation.
The orb represents the Christian world and is one of the objects used by the monarch to symbolize his sovereignty before he is crowned and after he is anointed. The ball with the cross on it is decorated with over 600 precious stones and pearls. The orb is placed in the monarch’s right hand and represents his power.
There are five swords of state that are brought out of the tower for the coronation ceremony: one is “The Great Sword of State” with a total length of 128.5 centimeters. It is presented to the monarch after the anointing, but before the actual coronation. In addition, the “Jewelled Sword of State” plays a role in the coronation. It is considered the most beautiful and valuable sword in the world. “The Sword of Mercy,” “The Sword of Spiritual Justice,” and “The Sword of Judicial Justice” will also be on display.
The golden bangles with red velvet lining, which are put on the monarch at the coronation, are said to represent sincerity and wisdom. The “St. George’s spurs” are also used, they are one of the military symbols of the monarch. The spurs are presented to the monarch after he has been anointed and then placed back on the altar.
