St Edward's Crown leaves Tower of London ahead of Coronation

The St Edward's Crown has been removed from the Tower of London to beryllium resized for the King up of the Coronation.

The historical centrepiece of the Crown Jewels was taken distant to let for its modification earlier the ceremonial connected 6 May, Buckingham Palace said.

The question of the crown was kept concealed until its harmless delivery. Its existent determination has not been divulged.

A mentation of it has been utilized during the coronations of English and British monarchs since the 13th Century.

This St Edward's Crown was made for King Charles II successful 1661, arsenic a replacement for the medieval crown that was melted down aft the execution of his begetter successful 1649.

The archetypal is thought to day backmost to Edward the Confessor, the 11th Century royal saint who was the penultimate Anglo-Saxon king of England.

It is the 1661 St Edward's Crown that appears successful the royal overgarment of arms of the United Kingdom, the Royal Mail logo and successful badges of the British equipped forces.

In a connection connected Saturday, Buckingham Palace said: "St Edward's Crown, the historical centrepiece of the Crown Jewels, has been removed from the Tower of London to let for modification enactment to statesman up of the Coronation connected Saturday 6 May 2023."

The ceremonial volition instrumentality spot successful Westminster Abbey, 8 months aft the monarch's accession and the decease of Queen Elizabeth II.

It is understood the ceremonial volition see the aforesaid halfway elements of the accepted service, which has retained a akin operation for much than 1,000 years, portion besides recognising the tone of 21st Century Britain.

However, the Coronation is expected to beryllium connected a smaller standard and shorter, with suggestions that it could past conscionable an hr - Queen Elizabeth II's lasted astir 3 hours.

It is besides expected to beryllium much inclusive of multi-faith Britain than successful the past, but volition nevertheless beryllium an Anglican service, with the Queen Consort being crowned alongside Charles III.

Guest numbers volition beryllium reduced from the immoderate 8,000 of 1953 to astir 2,000, with peers expected to deterioration suits and dresses alternatively of ceremonial robes, and a fig of rituals, specified arsenic the presumption of golden ingots, not being performed.