The Inspiring Journey of Charles

The coronation of King Charles III on May th will see him adorned with two magnificent crowns that embody the monarchy’s rich history and stunning jewels. St. Edd’s Crown, which weighs five pounds and stands inches tall, is the actual crown that the King will wear during the ceremony. This iconic item holds immense significance in the Crown Jewels collection and serves as a timeless symbol of the British monarchy, frequently appearing across Britain and the Commonwealth on emblems like police badges and coats of arms.

Christianity and the monarch’s divine right to rule — this crown was created for the coronation of Charles II in . The predecessor, St Edd’s Crown, had belonged to King Edd the Confessor and was made in but was later melted down during Britain’s temporary flirtation with republicanism by politician Oliver Cromwell. Despite its tumultuous history, this crown boasts a solid gold frame adorned with an impressive array of precious stones, including rubies, sapphires, and amethysts. Notably, it was stolen in by Colonel Thomas Blood, a former supporter of Cromwell who was left destitute after the monarchy’s restoration and struck the crown with a mallet.

customary for the monarch to wear the St. Edward’s Crown during their coronation, despite its weight and difficulty to wear. In some instances, such as Queen Victoria’s coronation, the New State Crown was used instead with the St. Edward’s Crown being carried in the procession. However, King Charles’s mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, was crowned using the St. Edward’s Crown. During King Charles’s coronation, the St. Edward’s Crown will be placed upon his head before being replaced by the Imperial State Crown, which is lighter at less than two-and-a-half pounds.

Situated within a silver mount, the State Imperial Crown is one of the most frequently used royal crowns. Adorned with , diamonds, pearls, sapphires, emeralds and rubies, this crown embodies some of the most renowned jewels in the royal treasure trove. A modern rendering of the crown was crafted in , inspired by the one donned by Queen Victoria. The crown houses numerous illustrious jewels including the colossal carat Black Prince Ruby, which has been a part of the royal collection since the th century. It is speculated that Henry V wore the Black Prince Ruby during the Battle of Agincourt when fighting against the French army. Positioned beneath the ruby lays…

features smaller diamonds cut from the Cullinan.

The Cullinan II, a remarkable . carat diamond and the second largest stone from the greatest rough diamond ever discovered, is an exquisite jewel of exceptional beauty. It was discovered in South Africa and named after the mine owner. In the early s, Prime Minister Louis Botha gifted this precious diamond to Edd VII as a symbol of peace following the Boer War. The Sovereign’s Sceptre, which will feature in the coronation ceremony, proudly showcases the even larger Cullinan I, the largest clear-cut diamond in the world at a weight of . carats. Additionally, the Imperial State Crown boasts smaller diamonds that have been meticulously crafted from the Cullinan.

The Tudor Queen Elizabeth I was known to have adorned herself with hanging pearls and the -carat Stuart Sapphire, which was initially utilized in the coronation of the Scottish King Alexander II in . The remarkable crown valued at $. billion boasts a diamond-studded cross that houses King Edd’s sapphire, believed to have been procured from the monarch’s ring after his demise in . During the upcoming event, Queen Camilla will be attired in Queen Mary’s Crown – designed for George V’s consort in . This will mark the first time such a crown has been reused for a queen consort since the past.

In Summary

In conclusion, the Cullinan diamond has a rich history and is a remarkable symbol of peace and royalty. Its exquisite beauty and size have made it a treasured jewel that has been featured in the Sovereign’s Sceptre and the Imperial State Crown. The fact that these magnificent creations were crafted from a single rough diamond is a testament to the skill and artistry of those who worked on it. The Cullinan remains a shining example of human ingenuity and craftsmanship, and its legacy continues to inspire awe and wonder in those who behold it.