March 29, 2024

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Charles III is crowned King of the United Kingdom at Westminster Abbey

Charles III is crowned King of the United Kingdom at Westminster Abbey

The coronation displays symbolic objects, memorabilia and impressive jewelery covering the longevity of the British monarchy.

The scepter is made of a golden stick, decorated with a globe, a cross and a dove on its top, symbolizing the spiritual and pastoral power of the sovereign. It was used during the coronation of Charles II in 1661. 110 centimeters in length, weighing 1,150 grams.

Used since 1661, the scepter symbolizes the sovereign’s temporal power. It weighs 1170 grams for a length of 92 centimeters. In 1911 the 530.2-carat Cullinan I diamond was added, requiring the scepter to be reinforced to support its weight.

This 27.5 cm globe is surmounted by a cross, representing Christendom. It consists of a hollow golden sphere studded with precious stones and pearls. A cross set with diamonds, a sapphire in the center and an emerald on the other side, surmounts the globe. During the coronation ceremony, the orb is placed in the king’s right hand before being placed on the altar.

Used at all Queen Consort coronations since 1685, this small ivory scepter, surmounted by a dove, will be held by Queen Camilla during the ceremony, despite calls not to use it against the ivory trade. Camilla will also be presented with a golden scepter surmounted by a cross.

This golden object in the shape of an eagle with spread wings contains the oil used during the abhishekam of the Lord, which is considered the most sacred moment of the coronation ceremony. The Archbishop of Canterbury pours oil from the eagle’s head into a spoon before anointing the King. 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 the future kings of England.

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These golden spurs have been used since the coronation of Richard the Lionheart in 1189.

This large purple silk and velvet cape is embroidered with the king’s monogram, wheat ears and olive branches. Made especially for the coronation, it required 3,500 hours of work by twelve tailors from the Royal School of Couture.

Commissioned by King Edward I in 1300, this oak throne, 2 meters high, has been at the center of royal coronations for over seven hundred years. It was first linked “Stone of Destiny”, a sandstone symbol of the Scottish monarchy and brought from Scotland by Edward I as spoils of war. Briefly stolen by Scottish students during a daring attempt in 1950, the stone was symbolically returned to Scotland in 1996 due to the rise of independence sentiment. . But it was agreed that he would return from Edinburgh Castle to Westminster for the coronation ceremonies.

The silver cross, another symbol of the king’s spiritual power, contains fragments of the crucifix Jesus was crucified on and was gifted by Pope Francis to mark Charles’ coronation, the Vatican says. These pieces are shaped like a small cross that appears behind the pink rock crystal. The Cross of Wales will be used at the head of the coronation procession leading the newly crowned monarch from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace.