- Sceptre with the Cross
The Sceptre with the Cross, also known as the St Edward's Sceptre, the Sovereign's Sceptre or the Royal Sceptre, is a
sceptre of the British Crown Jewels. It was originally made for the coronation of King Charles II in1661 . In 1905, it was redesigned after the discovery of theCullinan Diamond . Now, the Sceptre with the Cross includes one of the largest diamonds in the world, the Cullinan I, or the Great Star of Africa, which weighs over 530carat s (106 g). The Cullinan I can be removed from the sceptre and be worn as a brooch.The Sceptre symbolises the temporal authority of the Monarch under the Cross. The
Sceptre with the Dove , another sceptre in the Crown Jewels, represents spiritual authority. During the coronation, the Monarch holds the Sceptre with the Cross in the right hand and the Sceptre with the Dove in the left while theArchbishop of Canterbury placesSt Edward's Crown on his or her head.The Sceptre with the Cross, and the other Crown Jewels, may be found on display at the
Jewel House in theTower of London .External links
* [http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page5165.asp?GalleryID=15&ImageID=225&Start=0 The Monarchy Today: the Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross]
* [http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page5165.asp?GalleryID=15&ImageID=226&Start=0 The Monarchy Today: The Queen holds the Orb and Sceptre used at her Coronation, 2 June 1953]
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