The bling of England
700 …years. The age of the Coronation Chair. Charles will sit in this for parts of the ceremony. The back part is covered in graffiti from the 18th and 19th century – visitors and schoolboys carving their names.
850 …community and charity representatives who will be attending. nding. They include inyoung people from groups such as St John Ambulance and The Prince’s Trust as well as those who have been awarded the British Empire Medal for going “above and beyond” in their local area.
1349 …the year the coronation spoon was first recorded although it dates to the 12th century. Along with the gold ampulla, inset, it is used for the most sacred part of the service – the anointing of the monarch with holy oil on hands, breast and head. This process is hidden from view.
1661 …when St Edward’s Crown was made for King Charles II. It stands a foot tall and weighs nearly 5lbs and the late Queen Elizabeth wore it for her coronation.
1661 …the same year saw this current gold ampulla made. Cast in the form of an eagle with outspread wings, the head unscrews so it can be filled with oil and there is a tiny hole in its beak from which oil is poured into the coronation spoon.
1762 …when the eight-horse-drawn Gold State Coach, below right, was built. It has been used at every coronation since King William IV in
1831. It will take the King and Queen back to Buckingham Palace after the ceremony but it’s notoriously uncomfortable.
7,000 …street parties have been applied for across the UK.
2,000 …guests who have been invited to the slimmed-down ceremony, just a quarter the number present at Queen Elizabeth’s coronation. Members of the Royal Family, British political leaders and foreign heads of state are on the list.
2,200 …diamonds on the Queen Mary’s Crown, which will be used to crown Camilla. It means the controversial Koh-iNoor diamond, whose ownership is disputed and which features on the Queen Mother’s Crown, won’t be used.
MOST of the priceless items used in the ceremony date back to 1661 and were made for King Charles II after earlier pieces were destroyed in the aftermath of the Civil War. The symbols of royalty Charles will be presented with as he is crowned..
Royal Orb: A golden globe with a cross on top, it reminds the monarch that their power is derived from God.
Golden Spurs: These feature a velvet strap and represent knighthood and chivalry.
Armills: Gold bracelets which symbolise “sincerity and wisdom”. These were made for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation replacing the previous ones used since 1661.
Sovereign’s Ring: This will be placed on the fourth finger of the King’s right hand.
Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross: This gold rod features the huge Cullinan diamond and represents the Crown’s power. It was placed on the late Queen’s coffin at her state funeral in September.
Sovereign’s Sceptre with Dove: A rod of gold topped with a white enamelled dove, a symbol of justice and mercy.
CAMILLA’S REGALIA Queen Consort’s Ring: A ruby in a gold setting, this was made for the coronation of King William IV and Queen Adelaide in 1831. Camilla will wear it during the ceremony.
Queen Consort’s Rod: This was made in 1685 for the coronation of Mary of Modena, consort of James II. Camilla has attracted controversy for using this ivory sceptre – Prince William has previously campaigned against the ivory trade.
Queen Consort’s Sceptre with Cross: Also made for Mary of Modena, this is made from gold sections of rod joined by rose-cut stones.