The Coronation of the Monarch is a ceremony in which the Monarch is formally Crowned and Invested with Regalia. Queen Elizabeth II was Crowned on 2 June 1953, despite having ascended the throne on 6 February 1952, the instant her father died. The Throne is not left vacant and the New Monarch Succeeds the old one immediately. That's why its said that The King Never Dies. The ceremony is performed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the most senior cleric in the Church of England. The essential elements of the Coronation have remained largely unchanged for the past thousand years. The Sovereign is first presented to, and acclaimed by, the people. He or she then swears an oath to uphold the law and the Church. Following that, the Monarch is Anointed with Holy Oil, Crowned, and Invested with the Regalia, before receiving the homage of his or her Subjects. There are certain Crown Jewels that play a vital role in the ceremony of The Coronation.
The Imperial State Crown is one of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom and symbolizes the Sovereignty of the Monarch. The crown has existed in several versions since the 15th century. The modern version of the Imperial State Crown is of a design somewhat similar to that of St Edward's Crown, but shorter and encrusted with jewels. The Imperial State Crown is generally worn at the end of a Coronation when the new Monarch departs from Westminster Abbey and is not normally the Crown used to Crown the Monarch. However, its predecessor (of the same name) was used to crown Queen Victoria and King Edward VII during their Coronation Ceremonies. It is also worn annually by the Queen at the State Opening of Parliament. Traditionally, the Crown and other jewels leave in their own carriage and arrive at the Palace of Westminster prior to the Queen's departure from Buckingham Palace. They are then transported to the Robing Room, where the Queen dons her Robes and puts on the Crown.
3.St Edward's Chair
King Edward's Chair, sometimes known as St Edward's Chair or The Coronation Chair, is the Throne on which the British Monarch sits for the Coronation. It was commissioned in 1296 by King Edward I to contain the Coronation Stone of Scotland — known as the Stone of Scone — which he had captured from the Scots who had kept it at Scone Abbey. The chair was named after Edward the Confessor, and was kept in his shrine of St Edward's Chapel at Westminster Abbey. Since 1308, all anointed Sovereigns of England (until 1603) and Great Britain (after the Union of the Crowns) have been seated in this chair at the moment of their Coronation, with the exception of Queen Mary I (who was Crowned in a chair given to her by the Pope) and Mary II (who was Crowned on a copy of the chair). The last occasion was the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
The Stone of Scone also known as the Stone of Destiny and often referred to in England as The Coronation Stone, is an oblong block of red sandstone, used for centuries in the Coronation of the Monarchs of Scotland and later the Monarchs of England, Great Britain, and the United Kingdom. Historically, the artifact was kept at the now-ruined Scone Abbey in Scone, near Perth, Scotland. It is also known as Jacob's Pillow Stone and the Tanist Stone, and in Scottish Gaelic clach-na-cinneamhain. Its size is about 26 inches (660 mm) by 16.75 inches (425 mm) by 10.5 inches (270 mm) and its weight is approximately 336 pounds (152 kg). At each end of the stone is an iron ring, apparently intended to make transport easier. The Stone of Scone was last used in 1953 for the Coronation of Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.
A sword of state is a sword, used as part of the Regalia, symbolizing the power of a Monarch to use the might of the State against its enemies, and their duty to preserve thus right and peace.
The Sword of Mercy, or Edward the Confessor's Sword, is a symbolically broken sword that is part of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. The Sword has a blade cut off short and square, indicating thereby the quality of the mercy of the Sovereign; according to the Mythological History of the Sword, its tip was broken off by an angel to prevent a wrongful killing. It is one of five swords used during the Coronation of the British Monarch. It is carried in the Coronation procession between the Sword of Temporal Justice and the Sword of Spiritual Justice. These three swords are believed to have been made for the Coronation of Charles I of England, and were among the few items of the Crown Jewels to escape being melted down by Oliver Cromwell. The sword is also wielded during the Ceremony at which the Monarch bestows Knighthood upon the recipient of the Honour.
This sword, known as the Sword of Temporal Justice, is one of three swords which are carried unsheathed, pointing upwards, in the Coronation Procession. This sword is accompanied by the Sword of Spiritual Justice and the Sword of Mercy. The practice of carrying three swords, representing Kingly virtues, dates back to the Coronation of Richard the Lionheart in 1189. The three Swords were made for the Coronation of Charles I in 1626 and then placed with the Regalia in Westminster Abbey. These three works were the only pieces to survive the Civil War and Interregnum untouched. It is not known whether they were used in the Coronation Procession of Charles II, but they have certainly been used since 1685. A new scabbard was made for the sword in 1821 for the Coronation of George IV.
The Sceptre with the Cross, also known as the St Edward's Sceptre, the Sovereign's Sceptre or the Royal Sceptre, is a sceptre of the British Crown Jewels. It was originally made for the coronation of King Charles II in 1661. In 1905, it was redesigned after the discovery of the Cullinan Diamond. Now, the Sceptre with the Cross includes the second largest diamond in the world, the Cullinan I, or the Great Star of Africa, which weighs over 530 carats (110 g). The Cullinan I can be removed from the sceptre to be worn as a brooch. The Cullinan diamond was the largest diamond ever found in the world, at 3106.75 carats. It was cut into 9 different pieces and Cullinan I was the largest among them.
The Coronation Regalia
1.St Edward's Crown
St Edward's Crown is one of the English Crown Jewels and remains one of the Senior Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom, being the Official Coronation Crown used in the Coronation of first English, then British, and finally Commonwealth Realms Monarchs. As such, two-dimensional representations of the Crown are used in coats of arms, badges, and various other insignia throughout the Commonwealth Realms to indicate the Authority of the Reigning Sovereign.
2.Imperial State Crown
3.St Edward's Chair
King Edward's Chair, sometimes known as St Edward's Chair or The Coronation Chair, is the Throne on which the British Monarch sits for the Coronation. It was commissioned in 1296 by King Edward I to contain the Coronation Stone of Scotland — known as the Stone of Scone — which he had captured from the Scots who had kept it at Scone Abbey. The chair was named after Edward the Confessor, and was kept in his shrine of St Edward's Chapel at Westminster Abbey. Since 1308, all anointed Sovereigns of England (until 1603) and Great Britain (after the Union of the Crowns) have been seated in this chair at the moment of their Coronation, with the exception of Queen Mary I (who was Crowned in a chair given to her by the Pope) and Mary II (who was Crowned on a copy of the chair). The last occasion was the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
4.Stone of Destiny
The Stone of Scone also known as the Stone of Destiny and often referred to in England as The Coronation Stone, is an oblong block of red sandstone, used for centuries in the Coronation of the Monarchs of Scotland and later the Monarchs of England, Great Britain, and the United Kingdom. Historically, the artifact was kept at the now-ruined Scone Abbey in Scone, near Perth, Scotland. It is also known as Jacob's Pillow Stone and the Tanist Stone, and in Scottish Gaelic clach-na-cinneamhain. Its size is about 26 inches (660 mm) by 16.75 inches (425 mm) by 10.5 inches (270 mm) and its weight is approximately 336 pounds (152 kg). At each end of the stone is an iron ring, apparently intended to make transport easier. The Stone of Scone was last used in 1953 for the Coronation of Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.
5.Sword of State
A sword of state is a sword, used as part of the Regalia, symbolizing the power of a Monarch to use the might of the State against its enemies, and their duty to preserve thus right and peace.
6.Sword of Mercy
7.Sword of Temporal Justice
This sword, known as the Sword of Temporal Justice, is one of three swords which are carried unsheathed, pointing upwards, in the Coronation Procession. This sword is accompanied by the Sword of Spiritual Justice and the Sword of Mercy. The practice of carrying three swords, representing Kingly virtues, dates back to the Coronation of Richard the Lionheart in 1189. The three Swords were made for the Coronation of Charles I in 1626 and then placed with the Regalia in Westminster Abbey. These three works were the only pieces to survive the Civil War and Interregnum untouched. It is not known whether they were used in the Coronation Procession of Charles II, but they have certainly been used since 1685. A new scabbard was made for the sword in 1821 for the Coronation of George IV.
8.Sceptre With Cross
The Sceptre with the Cross, also known as the St Edward's Sceptre, the Sovereign's Sceptre or the Royal Sceptre, is a sceptre of the British Crown Jewels. It was originally made for the coronation of King Charles II in 1661. In 1905, it was redesigned after the discovery of the Cullinan Diamond. Now, the Sceptre with the Cross includes the second largest diamond in the world, the Cullinan I, or the Great Star of Africa, which weighs over 530 carats (110 g). The Cullinan I can be removed from the sceptre to be worn as a brooch. The Cullinan diamond was the largest diamond ever found in the world, at 3106.75 carats. It was cut into 9 different pieces and Cullinan I was the largest among them.
9.Sceptre With Dove
The Sceptre with the Dove, also known as the Rod with the Dove or the Rod of Equity and Mercy, is a Sceptre of the British Crown Jewels. It was originally made for the Coronation of King Charles II in 1661. Its design included a gold rod with bands of gemstones, surmounted by a sphere and an enamelled dove, representing the Holy Ghost. The Sceptre with the Dove symbolises the Spiritual authority of the Monarch under the Cross. During the Coronation, the Monarch holds the Sceptre with the Dove in the left hand and the Sceptre with the Cross in the right while the Archbishop of Canterbury places St Edward's Crown on his or her head. The Sceptre with the Dove, and the other Crown Jewels are on display at Jewel House in the Tower of London.
10.The Armills
10.The Armills
The Armills are a type of bracelet, part of the Regalia. Symbolically known as "The Bracelets of Wisdom and Sincerity", they are interpreted as a token of God's Protection, and in modernity are a symbol of the bond which unites the Sovereign and his/her subjects. Armills have been used in many Coronations, the oldest surviving in the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom are those of King Charles II, and the newest were created for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. The Elizabeth II Armills were presented to the Queen by the Governments of various Commonwealth nations and are made of 22 carat gold lined with Crimson Velvet.
The Ampulla (dated 1661), a Golden Eagle with wings outstretched which holds the Holy Oil used to Anoint the Sovereign during the Coronation Ceremony. The oil is poured from the eagle's beak into the Anointing Spoon. The oil of anointing consecrates the Monarch and the Anointing itself symbolizes God’s blessing for the Monarch. Legends surround the Ampulla of England and the Holy Oil of Anointing. According to one, the Blessed Virgin appeared to St. Thomas รก Becket (died 1170) and gave him a golden eagle that she said contained oil for the anointing of the Kings of England.The Ampulla remained hidden for two centuries and was discovered in time for Coronation of Henry IV in 1399.
The Ring is a Symbol of Faith denoted by its unbroken form. It has been a constant feature of English Coronations since the 10th century. The present Soverign’s Ring was made for the Coronation of William IV in 1831. It weighs 84.45 carats and is set with a large sapphire surrounded by diamonds. Two more diamonds decorate the shank and five rubies are set on the sapphire in the form of a cross. All Sovereigns from Edward VII onwards have used this ring.
13.St. George's Spurs
The Spurs are symbolic emblems of Knightly Chivalry; not worn during the Coronation ceremonies but handed to the New Sovereign and then placed on the altar; made for the Coronation of King Charles II in 1660.
14. The Orb
The Sovereign's Orb is a type of Regalia known as a Globus Cruciger and is one of the British Crown Jewels. It was created for the Coronation of King Charles II in 1661 along with the Sceptre with the Cross and Ampulla. The Orb is a hollow gold sphere weighing 42 ounces (1,200 g) and measuring about 16.5 centimetres (6.5 in) in diameter. Spanning the equator is a band of pearls and gemstones, with a similar half-band running across the top half of the Orb. Atop the Orb is an amethyst surmounted by a Cross. The Orb is a Religious Symbol that represents the Monarch's role as Defender of the Faith and as Supreme Governor of the Church of England. During a coronation, the Archbishop of Canterbury delivers the Orb to the Monarch's right hand. The Orb is then placed on an altar, where it remains for the remainder of the Ceremony. At the end of the Ceremony, the Monarch holds the Orb in the left hand, the Sceptre with the Cross in the right hand, and wears the Imperial State Crown as he or she leaves Westminster Abbey.
11.The Ampulla and Anointing Spoon
The Ampulla (dated 1661), a Golden Eagle with wings outstretched which holds the Holy Oil used to Anoint the Sovereign during the Coronation Ceremony. The oil is poured from the eagle's beak into the Anointing Spoon. The oil of anointing consecrates the Monarch and the Anointing itself symbolizes God’s blessing for the Monarch. Legends surround the Ampulla of England and the Holy Oil of Anointing. According to one, the Blessed Virgin appeared to St. Thomas รก Becket (died 1170) and gave him a golden eagle that she said contained oil for the anointing of the Kings of England.The Ampulla remained hidden for two centuries and was discovered in time for Coronation of Henry IV in 1399.
12.The Coronation Rings
13.St. George's Spurs
14. The Orb
The Sovereign's Orb is a type of Regalia known as a Globus Cruciger and is one of the British Crown Jewels. It was created for the Coronation of King Charles II in 1661 along with the Sceptre with the Cross and Ampulla. The Orb is a hollow gold sphere weighing 42 ounces (1,200 g) and measuring about 16.5 centimetres (6.5 in) in diameter. Spanning the equator is a band of pearls and gemstones, with a similar half-band running across the top half of the Orb. Atop the Orb is an amethyst surmounted by a Cross. The Orb is a Religious Symbol that represents the Monarch's role as Defender of the Faith and as Supreme Governor of the Church of England. During a coronation, the Archbishop of Canterbury delivers the Orb to the Monarch's right hand. The Orb is then placed on an altar, where it remains for the remainder of the Ceremony. At the end of the Ceremony, the Monarch holds the Orb in the left hand, the Sceptre with the Cross in the right hand, and wears the Imperial State Crown as he or she leaves Westminster Abbey.
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