The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II was adorned with the Crown of
Scotland as it laid at rest in St. Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh.
The crown was placed atop the monarch’s coffin on September 12,
during a sombre moment watched by King Charles III and Queen
Camilla, the Princess Royal, the Earl and Countess of Wessex and
Prince Andrew. It is one of four crowns that will play a role in
her funeral arrangements.
Made with gold and freshwater pearls selected from rivers within
Scotland, the crown also features 22 gemstones and 20 precious
stones including garnets and amethysts. It features four gold
arches that rise to an orb leading to a gold and enamel cross on
top. The crown weighs 3.6 lbs (1.6kg) and was fashioned by
Edinburgh goldsmith John Mosman.
The stunning piece has a 500-year-old history and is the
centerpiece of the Honours of Scotland- the oldest Crown jewels in
the United Kingdom. It was first worn by James V in 1540, at the
coronation of his Queen Consort, Mary of Guise after being
refashioned from an older, damaged crown of James IV which dated
back to at least 1503.
The Honours also include a sceptre and sword. They were first
used together in 1543 at the coronation of James V’s daughter,
Mary, Queen of Scots, when she was just nine-months-old. It was
also used for the coronations of James VI and Charles I, with both
taking place at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
In 1651, Charles II also donned the crown for his coronation
held in Scone. Following the English Civil War, the crown was moved
several times to hide it from Oliver Cromwell’s army.
Cromwell had been determined to destroy the Scottish Crown
Jewels and pursued them to Dunnottar Castle near Aberdeen. They
were smuggled out and buried until Charles II’s restoration in
1660. The honours were then never used again to crown a
sovereign.
The honours were also split up and buried for safekeeping during
WWII.
The Crown of Scotland is usually on display in the Throne Room
at Edinburgh Castle. It is currently on loan and will be returned
in time for the sites reopening on Wednesday.
The Crown, along with the other Honours, were presented to The Queen in 1953, after her coronation, at a National Service of Thanksgiving at St Giles’ Cathedral.
The crown and coffin will remain there on display for 24 hours
as mourners are invited to come to pay their respects.
The coffin has also been adorned with the Scottish Standard and
a wreath made from flowers picked from the Queen’s Balmoral estate.
The arrangement includes spray roses, freesias, chrysanthemums and
dried white heather.
Queen Elizabeth’s coffin will leave Scotland on Tuesday and continue the journey to London. Her state funeral will take place at Westminster Abbey on Monday, September 19.
