Here's What Happens to the Queen's Imperial State Crown, Orb and Sceptre
Queen Elizabeth's coffin has been adorned with her Imperial State Crown, orb and sceptre, which will be removed from their resting place before her final committal ceremony today (Monday, September 19). The Telegraph reports that the "symbols of monarchy" will be removed in the final public moments of the Queen's funeral by Crown Jeweller Mark Appleby. He'll be helped by the "Bargemaster" and the "Serjeants-at-Arms," whose jobs are to literally guard the crown, orb, and sceptre.
Apparently, once removed from the Queen's coffin these items will be passed onto the Dean of Windsor, and will be placed on an altar, where presumably they'll remain until King Charles' coronation in 2023 (note: Charles became King the second the Queen passed away, but his coronation won't take place for months—or even up to a year).
In case you're not up to date on the special meaning behind the crown, sceptre, and orb, it's a whole thing. Per The Telegraph, the Crown represents a Queen/King's sovereign power over his/her subjects (er, kay). Meanwhile, the royals' website notes that the Sovereign's Orb represents Christian sovereignty and is set with various precious stones and pearls. And the Sceptre with the Cross symbolizes the Sovereign's "temporal power under the Cross" and casually has the world's biggest cut diamond right at the top:
Here's the Queen holding the items during her coronation:
A lot to take in!
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