Introduction
King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort, will be crowned in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London on May 6, 2023. The coronation will be a historic and spectacular occasion that will display the British monarchy’s pomp and ceremony. But what about the crowns and regalia that will be worn at the coronation? What do they represent, and how did they come to exist? We will look at the history and significance of the crowns and regalia that will be worn by the new king and queen on their coronation day in this blog post.
St. Edward’s Crown
The Archbishop of Canterbury will place this crown on King Charles III’s head at the coronation. It is the most essential and sacred of all crowns since it reflects the monarch’s sovereignty and authority. It is named after Saint Edward the Confessor, an 11th-century ruler who was canonized. The crown was made in 1661 for the coronation of Charles II after Oliver Cromwell destroyed the previous medieval crown during the English Civil War. The gold crown is adorned with 444 precious stones, including sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and pearls. It features a purple velvet top with an ermine border and weighs about 2.2 kg (4.9 lb).
The Imperial State Crown
This is the crown that King Charles III will wear when he departs Westminster Abbey and returns to Buckingham Palace following the coronation ceremony. He will also wear it at state events, such as the opening of Parliament. It represents the monarch’s function as the head of state and the Commonwealth. The crown was built in 1937 for George VI’s coronation, based on an earlier design from 1838. The gold and silver crown is encrusted with 2,868 diamonds, 273 pearls, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, and 5 rubies. It has a crimson velvet hat with an ermine border and weighs about 1.1 kg (2.4 lb). The Cullinan II diamond (also known as the Lesser Star of Africa), the Black Prince’s Ruby (really a spinel), and St Edward’s Sapphire (taken from Edward the Confessor’s ring) are among the most famous jewels on the crown.
The Queen Consort’s Crown
Camilla, Queen Consort, will wear this crown during and after the coronation. It represents her status as the king’s wife and partner. Based on an earlier design from 1911, the crown was produced in 1937 for Queen Elizabeth (known as the Queen Mother). The crown is composed of platinum and silver and set with 2,800 diamonds, including four big ones known as the Koh-i-Noor (Persian for “Mountain of Light”), Timur Ruby (really a spinel), Lahore Diamond, and Cullinan III (also known as one of Africa’s Lesser Stars). It has a white silk cap and an ermine border and weighs about 0.9 kg (2 lb).
The Other Regalia
In addition to the crowns, other regalia will be utilized in the coronation. These are some examples:
The Orb
A hollow gold sphere crowned with a cross symbolizes the monarch’s function as a Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England. It houses a fragment of glass purported to be from the True Cross.
The Sceptre
A gold rod with a cross on one end and a dove on the other symbolizes the monarch’s temporal and spiritual sovereignty. There are two scepters: one encrusted with a massive diamond named Cullinan I (also known as the Great Star of Africa) and the other with a large pearl.
The Ring
A sapphire and a ruby-set gold ring represent the monarch’s link with his or her people. It is also known as “England’s wedding ring.”
The Sword
A steel blade with a gold handle represents the monarch’s responsibility to uphold justice and mercy. It’s sometimes referred to as “the Sword of State” or “the Sword of Mercy.”
The Spurs
A pair of gold spurs represents the monarch’s status as commander-in-chief of the armed forces. “The Spurs of Chivalry” are another name for them.
Ampulla
A gold eagle-shaped jar containing holy oil for anointing the monarch and queen at the coronation. The oil, which is a blend of olive oil and balsam, has been blessed by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The ampulla was created in 1661 for Charles II’s coronation and has been used ever since.
The Spoon
A silver-gilt spoon with a scallop-shell bowl for pouring holy oil from the ampulla upon the king and queen’s head, chest, and hands. The spoon, which dates back to the 12th century, is the oldest piece of regalia. During the English Civil War, it was secreted by a royalist and restored to Charles II after the Restoration.
The Robes
During the coronation, the king and queen will wear a variety of gowns. These are some examples:
Supertunica
A long gold tunic represents the monarch’s duty as king and judge. It is also known as “the Dalmatic” or “the Gold Cloth Coat.”
Sindonis Colobium
The monarch’s humility and service are symbolized by this flowy white linen gown. It is also known as “the Holy Ghost’s Shirt.”
The Stole
A long gold silk scarf represents the monarch’s dignity and authority. It is also known as “the Pallium Regale” or “the Royal Mantle”.
The Robe Royal is a long crimson velvet cloak laced with ermine that symbolizes the monarch’s majesty and splendor. It’s also referred to as “the Imperial Mantle” or “the Purple Robe.”
The Coronation Robe
A long purple velvet cloak laced with ermine symbolizes the monarch’s authority and grace. It’s also referred to as “the Robe of Estate” or “the Parliament Robe.”
Conclusion
The coronation crowns and regalia are more than just gorgeous and precious things. They are emblems of the British monarchy and the nation’s history, tradition, and identity. They reflect the king and queen’s roles and obligations, as well as their relationship with their people and God. Also, they serve as reminders of the monarchy’s history of continuity and change. We can obtain a better knowledge and appreciation of the coronation and its significance by studying more about the crowns and regalia.
What do you think about the crowns and regalia used in the coronation?
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