This Wednesday will see King Charles return to Scotland for a 'second coronation' where he will be presented with three priceless relics.
The King and Queen will journey to St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh tomorrow, as part of a royal procession that will travel from the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The public will be able to watch the march all along the capital's historic Royal Mile.
During the historic ceremony, Charles III will be presented with the Honours of Scotland, also known as the Scottish Crown Jewels. These consist of the Crown of Scotland, the Sceptre, and the Sword of Elizabeth.
The Honours of Scotland are the regalia that have been worn by Scottish monarchs at their coronation going back hundreds of years. Dating back to the 1400s, they are the oldest surviving set of crown jewels in the UK.
The three priceless artefacts all have their own fascinating histories, and so the Daily Record has delved back in time to learn more. Read on for more information about the Honours of Scotland that will be presented to the King this Wednesday in Scotland.
The Elizabeth Sword
The newest of the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Elizabeth Sword is named after Queen Elizabeth II. It was commissioned at the end of 2022 on the initiative of the Lord Lyon King of Arms and with approval from the Scottish Government at a cost of £22,000.
It replaces the current Sword of State, which was a gift from Pope Julius II to James IV in 1507 as it can no longer be used due to its fragile condition.
Designed by former Ormond Pursuivant of Arms Mark Dennis, and worked on by a number of expert Scottish craftspeople, the new sword includes a pommel of Lewisian gneiss and a scabbard wrought from Perthshire oak.
During the coronation service at St Giles Cathedral, current Chair of UK Sport Dame Katherine Grainger DBE will bear the Elizabeth Sword.
Speaking about the sword, designer Mark Dennis commented: "I am humbled to have had the opportunity to work with so many talented Scots craftspeople to create this tribute to our late Queen – a new Sword for Scotland and the new King, to last for the next five hundred years."
The Crown of Scotland
The Crown Of Scotland is the centrepiece of the Honours of Scotland, and is the oldest surviving crown in the UK — and even one of the oldest in Europe.
The crown in its current form was made for James V in 1540, based on an older crown thought to date back to the reign of Robert the Bruce.
The current crown includes 94 pearls and 43 gemstones, while the top features a decorated gold and dark blue orb adorned with tiny stars. Atop the orb sits a gold cross, which is decorated with an amethyst and eight more pearls.
During the ceremony at St Giles' Cathedral, the Crown Of Scotland will be carried by The Duke of Hamilton.
The Sceptre
This is a symbolic ornamental rod that dates back to 1494, when it is thought to have been given as a present to James IV by Pope Alexander VI. It replaced an even older sceptre that is believed to have been made in the 1300s, which has since been lost to time.
Redesigned and lengthened for James V in 1536 by Edinburgh goldsmith Adam Leys, the relic consists of a handle that is joined to the bottom of an engraved hexagonal rod, which is decorated with leaves, thistles, and other flowers.
The finial — or knob — at the top of the sceptre is decorated with dolphins, as well as depictions of the Virgin Mary, Saint James the Great, and Saint Andrew. This in turn is topped with a sphere of polished crystal, followed by a golden globe — with a large pearl sitting at the very top.
During the ceremony on Wednesday, the Sceptre will be carried by Lady Dorrian, the Lord Justice Clerk.
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