The 21 Most Fantastical Sounding Things at King Charles's Coronation
King Charles's coronation took place this morning, and the ceremony was filled with objects with very fantastical-sounding names, and people with what sounded like made-up job titles. (What even is a Gold Stick in Waiting?) Here, we rounded up the 21 most fantastical-sounding things, in no particular order (but the Stone of Destiny is absolutely no. 1):
1. Stone of Destiny
The Stone of Destiny, also called the Stone of Scone (pronounced scoon), traveled from Edinburgh Castle to Westminster Abbey for the event. It's a sacred object upon which the monarchs of England and then Great Britain have been crowned.
2. The Orb
The golden, jeweled ball (with emerald, rubies, sapphires, diamonds, and pearls) represents the sovereign's power.
3. The Ampulla / Gold Eagle
The most sacred part of the ceremony, the anointing, was not televised. Yet, the Ampulla was used during it—it is a golden vessel shaped like an eagle. Because of course it is.
4. The Armills, or Bracelets of Sincerity and Wisdom
If you're thinking of Wonder Woman's bracelets, you're not far off. The Armills, also called the bracelets of sincerity and wisdom, are fancy cuffs.
5. The Black Prince's Ruby
At the center of the Imperial State Crown is something called the Black Prince's Ruby, which is not even a ruby!
As T&C's Editor-in-Chief Stellene Vollandes wrote, "Though it is known as the Black Prince's Ruby, it is, in fact, a 170 carat red spinel. Sometimes called the Great Imposter, it is said to have been stolen in 1371 from the body of the Sultan of Grenada by Pedro the Cruel. Edward of Woodstock (the Black Prince) offered Don Pedro shelter; Don Pedro offered the Black Prince untold treasures in return, including one massive red stone."
6. The Coronation Spoon
During the anointing, the holy oil will be poured through the beak of the Ampulla (see no. 3) into the spoon. Fun fact: The spoon is the only surviving object from medieval coronations, because most objects were destroyed when King Charles I was overthrown and executed.
7. The Coronation Glove
Exactly what it sounds like: A glove worn (on the right hand) at the coronation. Charles wore his grandfather King George VI's glove.
8. The Sword of Mercy (the Curtana)
One of many swords used in the coronation, this one has a blunted tip (and the most contradictory name).
9. The Sword of Spiritual Justice
Another one of the swords in the coronation.
10. The Sword of Temporal Justice
Another sword!
11. The Jeweled Sword of Offering
This bejeweled sword features gold, blued and gilt steel, with silver, diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. The scabbard is made of leather, gold, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, turquoise, and lined in silk velvet. As Taylor Swift famously sang, "Best believe I'm still bejeweled / When I walk in the room / I can still make the whole place shimmer."
12. The Sovereign's Ring
This is also called the wedding ring of England. No further comments necessary.
13. The Spurs
The spurs symbolize knighthood, and, per the Royal Collection Trust, "their use in the coronation ritual derives directly from the ceremony of creating a knight."
14. The Gold Coach
This gold carriage is more than 200 years old, is pulled by eight horses, and features velvet and satin upholstery. "It's not meant for traveling in at all," Queen Elizabeth famously said, calling her journey in it during her own coronation "horrible."
15. The Keeper of the Jewel House
This is a real job, and the person is responsible for running the Jewel House (which houses the Crown Jewels). It is currently a position held by Brigadier Andrew Jackson, who presented the Sovereign's Ring at the coronation today.
16. The Gold Stick in Waiting
A fancy name for royal bodyguard. The current position is held by Princess Anne, King Charles's sister. She has a deputy, called Silver Stick in Waiting. They both rode horses.
17. Sceptre with the Cross
This sceptre represents the monarch's power and governance.
18. Sceptre with the Dove
This sceptre, on the other hand, represents the monarch's spiritual role.
19. The King's Champion
At historical coronations, the King’s Champion challenged anyone who contested the right of the monarch to reign. At today's coronation, this role was played by Francis Dymoke, a 67-year-old farmer, who will instead carry the Royal Standard. Francis is the 34th member of his family to take part in a coronation.
To claim his role, he said, "I wrote along the lines that … my family has done it since William the Conqueror, and though I appreciate it’s not a right any more … it would be a good thing to be involved." Go Francis!
20. The Long Sceptre (also St. Edward's Staff)
A longer sceptre carried in the coronation procession (but it doesn't play a role in the ceremony).
21. The Anointing Screen
The screen was used to shield King Charles during the moment of anointing. At the top of the poles are eagles!
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