Calay News
The historic “Scone Stone,” an important symbol that will accompany the coronation of King Charles III on May 6, has begun its journey from Scotland to Westminster Abbey in London. The stone, which weighs 152 kilos, is a historic symbol of the Scottish monarchy and was carried by King Edward I of Scotland as spoils of war in the 14th century. The block, which is considered the “Coronation Stone” or “Stone of Destiny,” will be placed under King Edward’s throne, which has been used for coronations for more than 700 years.
The stone was stolen by a group of Scottish students in 1950 and symbolically returned to Scotland in 1996, amid the rise of independence sentiment. However, it was established that it could be used in future British coronations. Following a ceremony at Edinburgh Castle, Scotland’s pro-independence First Minister Humza Yousaf described the moment as “historic.”
According to legend, the stone was moved from the Holy Land through Egypt, Sicily, Spain, and Ireland before arriving at the Scottish monastery of Scone in the 9th century. However, David Breeze, professor of history and archaeology at the University of Edinburgh, believes it is very likely that the stone came from the Scottish kingdom of the Picts.
The “Scone Stone” is one of the main symbols to be used during the coronation of King Charles III, and its journey to Westminster Abbey is carried out under strict security measures. This event marks a significant moment in the history of the British and Scottish monarchies and demonstrates the importance of historical symbols in national identity.
