Coronation of Charles III.
With the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Charles III became the new King of Great Britain and the Commonwealth countries in the line of succession . His coronation ceremony on 6 May 2023 was a historic event of global significance. Many of the world's mints have responded by issuing special commemorative and investment coins which, as well as commemorating the occasion, also offer interesting collectible appreciation.
Theceremonial coronation of a monarch has a thousand-year tradition in the British monarchy. During this ceremony, the ruler is presented with the coronation insignia, symbols of royal power and the country's politics.
The most important jewel is the Crown of St Edward, which is used exclusively for the coronation ceremony itself. It was made in 1661 based on descriptions of the original crown of Edward III. Confessor. The original crown, along with other crown jewels as symbols of the monarchy's rule, was melted down and sold off during the British Civil War. The present crown of incalculable value is set with 275 gems and weighs over two kilograms. After the coronation, it is kept and the monarch receives the Crown of the British Empire, which is part of the traditions of royal functions. The crown bears 273 pearls, 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds and 6 rubies. In the centre of the crown is a 170 carat Black Prince ruby of incalculable value. Directly below it is the ''Second Star of Africa'', one of the two largest diamonds in the world. TheRoyal Sceptres (Sceptre with Cross, Sceptre with Dove) are one cubit long sticks of precious metal, decorated with precious stones. TheSceptre of the Cross contains the Cullinan, the ''First Star of Africa'', the largest diamond in the world. Theroyal apple, the crown jewel in the shape of a sphere, symbolizes the world and the cross over it the reign of Jesus Christ. Other parts of the jewels include swords, spurs, rings and the royal mantle, among others. This ''fur of kings'' is lined all around with ermine and is usually about two metres long.
All these regalia are stored in the Tower of London after the ceremony. Here, since the 17th century, they have been kept safe by ceremonial guards called ''Beefeaters''. Retired elite soldiers who have been closing the fortress in exactly the same way every day for 700 years.
