Current:Home > reviewsBow Down to These Dazzling Facts About the Crown Jewels -NextFrontier Finance
Bow Down to These Dazzling Facts About the Crown Jewels
View
Date:2025-04-13 08:13:19
You best believe King Charles III will be making the whole place shimmer at Westminster Abbey May 6.
For the United Kingdom's first coronation ceremony in over 70 years, the monarchy is pulling out all the stops—and adornments—for Charles and Queen Camilla's big day. An integral part of the even? The Crown Jewels, which serve an essential role in anointing the new ruling monarch.
On display in the Tower of London, the collection, much of it created on the orders of King Charles II in 1661, includes pieces will be making a rare outing for the special event. Along with two crowns—one of which was last used during Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953, while the other contains the largest uncut diamond in the world—regalia such as a 674-year-old spoon will be presented to the new king during his investiture. Plus, one key artifact that is being transported from Scotland to England for the special occasion: The Stone of Destiny.
So, break out some sunglasses as we prepare to blind you with these details about the Crown Jewels:
Last used for Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, this crown will be placed on King Charles III's head at the moment of his coronation.
Made for Charles II in 1661, St. Edward's Crown replaced its medieval predecessor that was melted down in 1649. It's made of solid gold and contains rubies, amethysts, sapphires, garnet, topazes and tourmalines. Worth a reported £2.5million, royal correspondent Sharon Carpenter revealed to E! News that the piece weighs five pounds.
While he was just 4 years old when his mother was crowned with the same diadem, Carpenter said it was "a significant moment" in Charles' life. "It really stuck with him."
Crafted for the coronation of King George VI in 1937, this crown replaced the one that was made for Queen Victoria in 1838. Made of gold and containing 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, 269 pearls, and four rubies, this piece contains some of the most famous jewels in the collection: The Black Prince's Ruby, the Stuart Sapphire, and the Cullinan II diamond.
The Imperial State Crown is worn by the monarch as he departs Westminster Abbey after the coronation and is also used on other State occasions because it is a lot "lighter" than St. Edward's, Carpenter explained. "It's more along the lines of three pounds."
Made in the 12th century, the Coronation Spoon is one of the oldest objects in the Crown Jewels and is used to anoint the sovereign with holy oil.
Used at every coronation since Charles II was crowned in 1661, the 530.2-carat Cullinan I—which is the biggest part of the largest uncut diamond ever found at 3,106 carats—was added to the Sceptre in 1910 for George V.
During the ceremony, King Charles will be presented with objects representing their powers and responsibilities, which is called the investiture. Made in 1661 and mounted with clusters of emeralds, rubies and sapphires, the Orb is a golden globe surmounted by a rose-cut diamond-encrusted cross to remind that the monarch's power is derived from God.
In addition to the Coronation Spoon, the Sceptre and the Imperial State Crown, the Orb was last seen on top of Queen Elizabeth II's casket, Carpenter noted. "People are going to be thinking about Queen Elizabeth because the last time the royals gathered together in this kind of way was to say goodbye to Queen Elizabeth at her funeral Westminster Abbey," the royal expert explained. "She's certainly going to be on people's minds and I'm sure we are going to see various other nods to the late queen in various different ways."
Also referred to as the Stone of Destiny, this historic piece has been moved from Scotland to England for Charles' coronation. Weighing 336 pounds and made of sandstone, the Stone of Scone was used to anoint Scottish kings until Edward I seized it more than 700 years ago. It was returned to its native country in 1996 and, after Charles is crowned sitting in it, it will be taken back to Edinburgh.
Watch E! News weeknights Monday through Thursday at 11 p.m., only on E!.veryGood! (7876)
Related
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- Nick Cannon and Brittany Bell's Advanced Son Golden Is Starting 4th Grade at 7 Years Old
- 80-year-old man dies after falling off boat on the Grand Canyon's Colorado River
- Mae Whitman Gives Birth, Names Her First Baby After Parenthood Costar
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- Bristol Palin Details “Gut-Wrenching” Way Her 15-Year-Old Son Tripp Told Her He Wanted to Live With Dad
- New Jersey man drowns while rescuing 2 of his children in Delaware River
- Lil Baby arrested in Las Vegas on gun charge; 'defense attorneys investigating the facts'
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- Kelsea Ballerini Shares Her Dog Dibs Has Inoperable Heart Cancer
Ranking
- Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
- The best 2024 SUVs for towing: all sizes, all capability
- Report says instructor thought gun was empty before firing fatal shot at officer during training
- 'Robin Hood in reverse': Former 'Real Housewives' star convicted of embezzling $15 million
- The Louvre will be renovated and the 'Mona Lisa' will have her own room
- California Climate and Health Groups Urge Legislators to Pass Polluter Pays Bills
- Out-of-state law firms boost campaign cash of 2 Democratic statewide candidates in Oregon
- 'Beloved' father who was clearing storm drains identified as victim of Alaska landslide
Recommendation
The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
Megan Thee Stallion hosts, Taylor Swift dominates: Here’s what to know about the 2024 MTV VMAs
College football Week 1 predictions and looking back at Florida State in this week's podcast
Walmart's 2024 Labor Day Mega Sale: Score a $65 Mattress + Save Up to 78% on Apple, Bissell, Dyson & More
Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
Georgia’s former first lady and champion of literacy has school named in her honor
Northeastern University student sues sorority and landlord over fall from window
It’s a tough time for college presidents, but Tania Tetlow thrives as a trailblazer at Fordham