Heavy lies the head that wears the crown. The popular—and oft-misquoted—Shakespearean phrase (Uneasy lies the head... is the original line, from Henry VI) will take on quite a literal meaning today at King Charles III's coronation. Because when he is officially crowned sovereign, it will be done with St. Edward's Crown—and it weighs five pounds.
This piece is not to be confused with the glittering Imperial State Crown—at three pounds, also no lightweight—which bears the infamous Black Prince's Ruby, as well as other historic stones such as the 317.4-carat Cullinan II diamond, the Stuart Sapphire, the St. Edward's Sapphire, and 2,868 diamonds. The reigning monarch wears the Imperial often, for openings of State Parliament especially, and it's likely what the king will have on to leave Westminster Abbey after Saturday's ceremony (and for his post-coronation appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace).
But on the extensive totem pole of very important Crown Jewels, St. Edward's Crown sits at the top. It's considered so sacred it only leaves the Tower of London to be placed, briefly, on a new king or queen's head at the actual moment of coronation—and only then.
The hefty topper, made of solid gold and studded with 444 stones, including rubies, amethysts, sapphires, garnets, topaz, and tourmalines, was commissioned for Charles II in 1661. But its roots go back a lot farther. This 17th-century iteration was a replica of the medieval crown made for Edward the Confessor (hence its name), who reigned from 1042 to 1066 and was considered the last king of the House of Wessex. (His successor, Harold II, was only on the throne for 10 months before being killed in the Norman Conquest by William the Conqueror.)
St. Edward's original crown survived for six centuries until 1649, when Charles I was executed at the end of the English Civil War and the royal jewels were sold or, as in the case of this heirloom, melted down to be turned into coins. When the Stuart monarchy was restored in 1660, the replica was born for Charles II, and it has served its hallowed ceremonial function ever since. Come Saturday, Charles III will become just the 17th sovereign to feel the weight of St. Edward's Crown.
Leena Kim is an editor at Town & Country, where she covers travel, jewelry, education, weddings, and culture.
