The Stone of Destiny will be moved from Edinburgh Castle to London temporarily for the coronation of the new King, it has been confirmed.
When Elizabeth II was crowned in 1953 at Westminster Abbey her throne sat above the stone, which is set to become the centrepiece of the new £26.5 million museum at Perth City Hall.
With the historic artefact having been returned to Scotland more than quarter of a century ago, it will be moved down to London for the ceremony involving her son.
No date has yet been announced for the coronation ceremony of King Charles III.
But a spokeswoman for Historic Environment Scotland (HES) confirmed: “HES staff will move the Stone of Destiny to Westminster Abbey in advance of the coronation and then return it to Scotland.”
HES manages a number of historic locations across Scotland, including Edinburgh Castle, where the stone is among the items on display in the Crown Room.
The HES website notes: “The stone will only leave Scotland again for a coronation in Westminster Abbey.”
The Stone of Destiny, which is described as being coarse-grained, pinkish buff sandstone, is seen as a historic symbol of Scotland’s monarchy, and was used in the inauguration of Scottish kings at Scone for centuries.
But in 1296 the then King of England, Edward I, had it removed from Scotland and it was built into a new throne at Westminster Abbey in London.
It was only returned to Scotland on St Andrew’s Day in November 1996.
In 1950 four Scottish students famously stole the stone from Westminster Abbey in London. It was found some three months later, 500 miles away, at the high altar of Arbroath Abbey.
It was taken from its Scone home 724 years ago, but in December 2020 it was announced the iconic relic would return to Perthshire after the Commissioners for the Safeguarding of the Regalia made the decision on behalf of the Queen that it should be moved from Edinburgh Castle.
First minister Nicola Sturgeon, who was one of the four commissioners, revealed the decision just two days before the 70th anniversary of the stone being stolen from Westminster Abbey by the students.
Over 1800 responses were received as part of a consultation into the future of the stone last year, with three-quarters of those giving a preference wanting the artefact moved to Perth.
The city hall museum is set to open in spring 2024.
