LONDON (Reuters) – The historic St Edward’s Crown, which has been the centerpiece of English coronations for more than 350 years, has been removed from the Tower of London to be modified for the coronation of King Charles III in May. he said. “Buckingham Palace.

This item, which is usually part of the Crown Jewels displayed in the Tower, has been in use since the coronation of King Charles II in 1661, following the restoration of the monarchy after Oliver Cromwell’s ten-year republic.

St Edward’s Crown replaced a medieval version believed to date from Edward’s reign in the 11th century and was melted down in 1649.

Charles III will be crowned in a grand ceremony at London’s Westminster Abbey on May 6, just like his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was crowned in 1953.

The crown, consisting of a solid gold frame studded with rubies, amethysts, sapphires, topazes and tourmalines, recalls its medieval ancestor with four crosses and four fleurs-de-lis. He also has a velvet hat.

(Reporting by Michael Holden)