The Coronation
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Charles will wear the St Edward Crown and the Imperial State Crown during the ceremony.
What is St Edward’s Crown?
St Edward’s Crown, or the imperial crown, is one of the most recognizable symbols of the British monarchy throughout the world. Without a doubt, it is the most important of the royal family. This singular piece of royal jewelry was created for the coronation of Charles II to replace the medieval crown cast in 1649, which is believed to have been made in the 11th century.
The crown weighs nearly 5 lbs (2.23kg) and is made of solid gold. It carries more than 400 gemstones, including six sapphires and 12 rubies, and is complete with a velvet cap and an ermine band.
Officially, the crown jewels are priceless, since they are not insured. However, if appraised, they would be estimated at almost $6 billion.
King Charles’ crown
According to sources, the value of this crown is thought to be nearly £45 million ($57 million). With nearly two kilograms of gold used to construct the crown, their worth exceeds £116,000 ($145,000) today.
Like his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, Charles will be wearing both the St Edward Crown at his ceremony and Imperial State Crown, which is the crown worn by the monarch when leaving Westminster Abbey after the coronation.
The Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross
The Sovereign’s Sceptre has been used at every coronation since Charles II’s in 1661. The bejeweled golden wand weighs 3 pounds and has 333 diamonds, 31 rubies, 15 emeralds, seven sapphires, and other precious gemstones. Its greatest detail, though, is the Great Star of Africa, or the Cullinan I, which was gifted to King Edward VII for his birthday in 1905 by the government of the Transvaal in South Africa.
With a whopping 530.2 carats, Cullinan I is the largest clear-cut diamond in the world, worth an estimated $400 million. Considering the value of the gemstones, the scepter is possibly worth several million dollars more.
The Sovereign’s Orb
The sovereign’s orb is a hollow gold sphere with a band of emeralds, rubies, and sapphires dating back to 1661 as well. The orb is a symbol of the Christian world and the sovereign’s power, which is why the sovereign holds it in their right hand during the coronation.
When Charles I spent £1150 on the orb when he had it made in 1661. That’s nearly $290,000 in today’s money. Still, the orb itself would be worth much more due to its significance, history, and stones.
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"The Princess Royal, 72, took part in the Coronation Procession following the crowning ceremony as the "Gold-Stick-in-Waiting." The prestigious position, which Princess Anne has held since 1998, dates back to the 15th century when two officers — a Gold Stick and a Silver Stick — were placed close to the monarch to protect them from harm.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's only daughter rode on horseback behind King Charles, 74, and Queen Camilla, 75, in the Gold State Coach as they made their way from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace. Princess Anne led 6,000 armed services personnel through the streets of London in the procession.
While many members of the royal family participated in the parade by riding in horse-drawn carriages or cars, Princess Anne was the only royal to ride on horseback."
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Didn’t see that. Had to leave for graduation. It’s on Wake Forest campus which is quite beautiful.
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I'm participating in the celebrations by blasting this shit on max volume on the way to a kid's birthday party.
Let it not be said I forsook the customs.
Link to video -
I'm participating in the celebrations by blasting this shit on max volume on the way to a kid's birthday party.
Let it not be said I forsook the customs.
Link to video@Aqua-Letifer Honoring the past by making the present obnoxious. Winning.
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Thought Kerry chunked those over the fence?
