St. Edward’s Crown – the Coronation
Crowns are meant to be worn, and when done so, leaves no chance for any misunderstanding of your standing, your power, your authority. After all, you are the one wearing the crown.
King Charles’s coronation will be held on Saturday, May 6 at Westminster Abbey, where he will be crowned. This is purely ceremonial as Charles is already King.
And the crown that will used in the coronation – and there are many crowns in the crown regalia – will be Saint Edwards Crown.
We are all familiar with the Imperial State Crown, because it is decorated with several important gems, including the 317.40 carat Cullinan II diamond, and the Black Prince’s “ruby” (a spinel).
But this is not the crown used for coronations.
St. Edward’s Crown is a 17th century solid gold crown, weighing almost 5 pounds (approx. 2.26 kilos), encrusted with diamonds, green and pink tourmalines, yellow and colorless topazes, rubies, amethysts, sapphires, garnet, peridot, zircons, spinel, and aquamarines. (Many of these gems were set, replacing many imitations, by King George V in 1911.)
This particular crown has been used in the coronation ceremony from 1661 until King George IV in 1811. 100 years later, King George V chose St. Edward’s Crown once again for the coronation, and this seems to once again be the tradition.
For a very candid video of Queen Elizabeth II talking about St. Edward’s Crown, Tap Here.
(Please note the brooch the Queen is wearing. Set with the Cullinan III, a 94.40 carat pear shape, and Cullinan IV, a 63.60 carat square cushion brilliant, it’s quite the statement piece.)
For a more detailed look at the crown, Tap Here.
