What are the coronation spurs and what do they mean? | The Sun
KING Charles' coronation involves plenty of historic traditions.
This involves items from previous coronations being used. But what are the royal spurs and what do they mean?
What are the coronation spurs?
The coronation spurs are part of the royal regalia used in coronations.
The spurs were made in 1661 for King Charles II, but the use of spurs at coronations dates back to King Richard I, the Lionheart, and his coronation in 1189.
These spurs were altered in 1820 for George IV, when new textiles replaced the earlier buckles and straps.
What do the coronation spurs represent?
The coronation spurs symbolise knighthood and their use in the coronation ritual derives directly from the ceremony of creating a knight.
Read more on the Royals
Full list of coronation snubs as Princess Diana’s brother is ‘left off list’
Beaming Kate chats to Royal fan on the phone at coronation walkabout
They form part of the coronation ceremony in which the sovereign is invested with the ornaments or symbols of royalty.
Traditionally the spurs were fastened to the monarch's feet, but since the restoration they have been held to the ankles of kings, or in the case of queens regnant, presented and then placed on the altar. After the investiture the sovereign is crowned.
The gold, leather and velvet spurs also symbolise knighthood.
What regalia is represented to King Charles during the coronation?
Due to the huge importance of King Charles' coronation, Britain’s priceless Crown Jewels will be removed from the Tower of London, where they are kept under armed guard and will take centre stage.
Most read in Royal
Royal superfan thanks The Sun for granting his wish to attend coronation
Why the king wears crown to bonkers ritual – Dan Snow's coronation guide
A look at the timing of the procession before King Charles' coronation
Time of the King's Procession before Charles' coronation
Multiple pieces of royal regalia are set to be used at the coronation.
Here is a list of the coronation regalia which will be seen on the special day:
- Two ceremonial maces
- St Edward’s Staff
- Swords of Temporal Justice, Spiritual Justice and Mercy
- Sword of State
- Ampulla
- Coronation Spoon
- Golden spurs
- Sword of Offering
- Armills
- Sovereign’s Orb
- Sovereign’s Ring
- Sovereign’s Sceptre with the Cross
- Sovereign’s Sceptre with Dove
- St Edward’s Crown (the Coronation Crown)
The King will switch from the St Edward’s Crown into the lighter Imperial Crown before he processes out of Westminster Abbey at the end of the coronation service.
Meanwhile, Queen Camilla will be presented with other regalia including:
- The Queen Consort’s Ring
- Queen Mary’s Crown
- The Queen Consort’s Sceptre with Cross
- The Queen Consort’s Rod with Dove
Source: Read Full Article