Current:Home > MarketsBow Down to These Dazzling Facts About the Crown Jewels -MarketPoint
Bow Down to These Dazzling Facts About the Crown Jewels
View
Date:2025-04-27 13:38:43
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! (19751)
Related
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- Arctic Drilling Ruling Brings Hope to Native Villages, Subsistence Hunters
- Proof Fast & Furious's Dwayne Johnson and Vin Diesel Have Officially Ended Their Feud
- Can air quality affect skin health? A dermatologist explains as more Canadian wildfire smoke hits the U.S.
- Louvre will undergo expansion and restoration project, Macron says
- Why TikTokers Francesca Farago and Jesse Sullivan Want to Be Trailblazers in the LGBTQ+ Community
- After the Hurricane, Solar Kept Florida Homes and a City’s Traffic Lights Running
- More States Crack Down on Pipeline Protesters, Including Supporters Who Aren’t Even on the Scene
- Global Warming Set the Stage for Los Angeles Fires
- Solar Energy Boom Sets New Records, Shattering Expectations
Ranking
- Questlove charts 50 years of SNL musical hits (and misses)
- Young LGBTQI+ Artists Who Epitomize Black Excellence
- Kim Cattrall Reacts to Her Shocking Sex and the City Return
- Rudy Giuliani interviewed by special counsel in Trump election interference probe
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- 10 Giant Companies Commit to Electric Vehicles, Sending Auto Industry a Message
- U.S. formally investigating reports of botched Syria strike alleged to have killed civilian in May
- Judge signals Trump hush money case likely to stay in state court
Recommendation
In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
How Fossil Fuel Allies Are Tearing Apart Ohio’s Embrace of Clean Energy
Ryan Gosling Reflects on Moment Eva Mendes Told Him She Was Pregnant With Their First Child
Why TikTokers Francesca Farago and Jesse Sullivan Want to Be Trailblazers in the LGBTQ+ Community
DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
TVA Votes to Close 2 Coal Plants, Despite Political Pressure from Trump and Kentucky GOP
Trump Aims to Speed Pipeline Projects by Limiting State Environmental Reviews
California’s New Cap-and-Trade Plan Heads for a Vote—with Tradeoffs