Exactly 70 years aftercoronation Elizabeth, June 2, 1953, Great Britain is preparing for a new grand ceremony. An exceptional event not only from a historical and social point of view, but also from a cultural one. So did the funeral of Elizabeth II, which drew hundreds of thousands of people who took to the streets across the kingdom to pay their respects to the magnificent queen. The event, scheduled for May 6, will be a tangible manifestation of the country’s ancient traditions, as well as more unique than the rare opportunity – given the longevity of the last sovereign – to admire some jewelry and accessories to be used in Westminster Abbey during the ceremony.
Crowns, sceptres and coronation rings
They are called Crown Jewels and is a series of items and accessories worn by the sovereign on the day of the coronation, symbol of his secular and spiritual power. These regalia are part of the Royal Collection and are held in trust by the monarch on behalf of the nation. They are usually kept in the Tower of London where they are visible to the public, except when used for official ceremonies such as coronations. In the first place is undoubtedly the Crown of St. Edward, made in 1661 by Robert Wiener of gold with 444 precious stones, after the historic medieval crown was melted down, along with many other jewels of the royal family, in 1649 by Oliver Cromwell with the execution of King Charles I. This crown is put on at the moment of coronation. Its design is four crosses and lilies, with two crossed arches at the top, surmounted by a globe with a cross.
However, to leave Westminster, Charles will wear the Imperial State Crown, made in 1937 by Garrard & Co. for the coronation of King George VI, modeled on the previous crown made in 1838 by Queen Victoria. It includes various precious stones and, in particular, 2868 diamonds, 273 pearls, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds and 5 rubies. Among the stones present on this wreath are also the Black Prince’s ruby and the legendary Cullinan diamond. In addition to the day of the coronation, the jewel is used on the occasion of the opening of the work of the English Parliament. Camilla, on the other hand, will be awarded the Queen Mary crown, created by Garrard & Co. in 1911 for the wife of George V. Inspired by the crown of Queen Alexandra of Denmark in 1902, it consists of approximately 2,200 diamonds. including the Cullinan III and Cullinan IV diamonds, as well as the famous Koh-i-Noor diamond, a gemstone that has been claimed by the Indian government for centuries and literally means “mountain of light”. To avoid any controversy, the disputed stone will be replaced with Cullinan V.
The very famous coronation spoon is also part of the crown jewels., the only object to survive the Republican rampage of the mid-seventeenth century, along with three swords. A gilded silver spoon from the 12th century is used before a coronation, during the anointing with the holy oil contained in the vessel. A very fine object made of gold, cast in the shape of an eagle with outspread wings, oil flowing from its beak. The symbolic objects are golden globe since 1661 – the emblem of Christianity, crowned with a cross and divided into three parts, which symbolize the three continents known at that time; V scepter with cross, used since the time of Charles II and an emblem of secular power; V scepter with dove also known as the “rod of justice and mercy”, which means spiritual strength. Many accessories that tell a thousand years of history that have survived to this day also thanks to their powerful symbolism.
Source: Elle