The ‘Stone of Destiny’ has left Edinburgh castle for the first time in 25 years for the coronation of King Charles III
The stone of destiny is seen as a sacred object. It is an ancient symbol of Scotland’s monarchy, used for centuries in the inauguration of its kings.
In 1296, King Edward I from England seized the stone and had it built into a new throne at Westminster. It remained in England for 700 years and was returned for permanent display in Scotland in 1996. It was agreed that the stone would return to Westminster Abbey for any future coronations.
Image: Historic Environment Scotland
Also known as the 'Stone of Scone', it is a 150kg (336 lb) red sandstone slab, 66cm (26in) long, 42cm (17in) wide, and 27cm (10.5in) high.
After taking the stone during the Wars of Independence, Edward made the stone part of a carved oak coronation chair which has been used during the inauguration of 26 Kings and Queens at Westminster Abbey ever since.
The stone stayed in England for hundreds of years, until Christmas Day in 1950 when four students from Glasgow broke into Westminster Abbey and took it back to Scotland. They were led by Ian Hamilton, who wanted to make a statement about Scottish self-rule.
"The Stone of Destiny is Scotland's icon. In one of the many invasions by the English into Scotland, they took away the symbol of our nation. Mr. Hamilton, who died last year, told the BBC. "To bring it back was a very symbolic gesture", he added.
It was returned to Westminster Abbey on 11 April 1951 and replaced in the coronation chair where two years later it had a greater prominence than ever as Queen Elizabeth's coronation was broadcast on television.
Reportedly, the stone will return to Edinburgh Castle in the weeks following the coronation, before it makes its way to Perth in 2024 to be housed in the new Perth Museum.
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