THE ORB THE SCEPTRE AND ROD ST EDWARD’S CROWN

Incredible items from royal history – including St Edward’s Crown, the orb and sceptre, the Coronation Chair and the Stone of Scone, not to mention many other fabulous, glittering jewels – will be used for the first time in 70 years at the Coronation of King Charles III. Royal author CATHERINE PEPINSTER details their special meaning and key role in the ritual of the Coronation...

Like St Edward’s Crown, the Imperial State Crown and the sceptre, the orb is topped by a cross, as a reminder that the monarch serves Jesus Christ. The sphere, or orb, represents the globe and its message is that the world is the dominion of Christ, under his cross. Note that its cross looks slightly wonky: when Colonel

Blood and his gang attempted to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London in 1671, one of them dropped and damaged the orb.

After the orb is placed in the King’s right hand, it is taken back and put on the altar of the abbey. Then he will be given the sceptre, which is associated with sovereignty, power and justice. Already decorated with priceless jewels, it became even more precious, when

George V – Charles III’S grandfather – had the original “monde” or little orb replaced with the 530.2-carat Cullinan diamond for his Coronation in 1911. In his left hand, Charles will hold the rod, symbolising equity and mercy. The rod, set with diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires, has an enamel dove with outstretched wings topping it, to represent the Holy Spirit. Like St Edward’s Crown and the orb, the sceptre and rod were made for Charles II in 1661.

Although named after St Edward the Confessor, the last king of Wessex, this is a replica, after the original was broken up by Oliver Cromwell’s troops at the end of the Civil War. But this crown has history too: it was first made for Charles III’S namesake, Charles II, in 1661. Its dazzling jewels include tourmalines, amethysts, rubies, sapphires, garnet and topaz. It is only ever used in coronations for the crowning of monarchs – it is solid gold and weighs 2.2kg, so cannot be worn for long. Charles will change it for the lighter Imperial State Crown when he moves out of the Abbey at the end of the Coronation service.