Part of the Honours of Scotland and considered to be the oldest crown jewels in the British Isles, the Crown of Scotland will play an important ceremonial role ahead of the funeral of the Queen. Her Majesty's coffin will be adorned with the Crown whilst lying in state for 24 hours at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh this afternoon.
After the coffin is brought to the Cathedral in a procession with the King and the Royal Family from the Palace of Holyroodhouse on the capital's Royal Mile, the Crown will be placed on top of the coffin as it is carried inside the Cathedral. It will be the first of the four crowns involved in not only the Queen's funeral arrangements but also in the Coronation of King Charles III.
A symbol of Scottish and British royalty for nearly 500 years, the priceless crown is made with gold, silver and precious gems and forms the Honours of Scotland along with the sword and sceptre (both Papal gifts), with all three dating back to the late fifteenth and early sixteenth century.
