King Charles III to receive Scotland's Crown Jewels in Edinburgh Coronation Ceremony

King Charles III is set to receive Scotland's crown jewels in a ceremony to commemorate his Coronation. The crown and scepter, which are part of the Honours of Scotland, will be presented to the King during the national thanksgiving service at St Giles' Cathedral. The event will also feature a newly named sword in honor of the late Queen Elizabeth, reminiscent of a celebration held in 1953 to mark her ascension to the throne.

Ahead of the service, the crown jewels will be transported from Edinburgh Castle to St Giles' Cathedral in a procession down the Royal Mile. Approximately 100 individuals representing various aspects of Scottish life will be involved. Over 700 members from the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force will also take part.

King Charles and Queen Camilla will leave their official Scottish residence, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, at 14:05 in a separate procession up the Royal Mile to the Kirk. The Prince and Princess of Wales, known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland, are expected to join them. Three pipers from Gordonstoun, King Charles' former school, will play during the final stage of the procession. The Stone of Destiny, used during the King's Coronation at Westminster Abbey, has been returned to Edinburgh and will have a role in the service.


The sermon will be delivered by the moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Rt Rev Sally Foster-Fulton. The crown jewels will be presented to the King by the Very Reverend Prof David Fergusson, Dean of the Chapel Royal and Dean of the Order of the Thistle. Following the service, a 21-gun salute will be fired from Edinburgh Castle around 15:20, after which the royal procession will return to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Crowds are expected to gather on the streets of Edinburgh and witness a fly-past by the Red Arrows.

Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf, a Republican, will be present at the service. However, politicians from the Scottish Green Party in his cabinet, Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater, are expected to participate in a protest against the monarchy outside the Scottish Parliament.

The Honours of Scotland

The Honours of Scotland consist of the crown, scepter, and sword of state, crafted from gold, silver, and precious gems. These crown jewels hold great historical significance as the oldest in Britain. The crown, originally made for James V, was first worn at the Coronation of Queen Mary of Guise in 1540. The scepter's origins are uncertain but it may have been a gift from the Pope to James IV. The newly commissioned sword, named the Elizabeth sword after the late Queen, will be presented to King Charles. The Honours of Scotland have had a turbulent past, including being hidden from Oliver Cromwell's army and sealed away following the Act of Union in 1707.

Visitors can view the Honours of Scotland and an accompanying exhibition on the first floor of the Royal Palace in Crown Square at Edinburgh Castle.

FAQs

Q1:What jewels were at King Charles's coronation?
Among the notable gems are the Stuart Sapphire, weighing 104 carats, and the Black Prince Ruby, weighing 170 carats (which is actually a red spinel). Additionally, there is the Cullinan II, a collection of four pearls believed to have adorned Queen Elizabeth I's earrings, as well as a historic sapphire that once belonged to Edward the Confessor.

Q2:Where were Scottish Crown Jewels hidden?
Initially, the jewels were concealed within Dunnottar Castle located in Aberdeenshire. However, during a siege, they were clandestinely transported and interred a short distance away in Kinneff parish church, where they remained hidden for a span of nine years. It was only upon the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 that they resurfaced.