Sceptre with the Cross
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 It was originally made for the coronation of King Charles II in 1661. In 1905, it was redesigned after the discovery of the Cullinan 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 530 carats (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 the Archbishop of Canterbury places St Edward's Crown on his or her head.
The Sceptre with the Cross, and the other Crown Jewels, may be found on display at Jewel House in the Tower of London.
