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The Stone of Destiny will be moved from Edinburgh Castle to London for the coronation of the new king, it has been confirmed.
Queen Elizabeth II's throne sat above the stone when she was crowned in 1953 at Westminster Abbey.
The historic artefact was moved to Scotland more than quarter of a century ago, but it will be moved down to London for the ceremony involving her son.
No date has yet been announced for the coronation ceremony of King Charles III.
“HES staff will move the Stone of Destiny to Westminster Abbey in advance of the coronation and then return it to Scotland,” a spokeswoman for Historic Environment Scotland said.
The agency manages several historic locations across Scotland, including Edinburgh Castle, where the stone is among the items on display in the Crown Room.
“The stone will only leave Scotland again for a coronation in Westminster Abbey,” the HES website says.
The Stone of Destiny, which is described as being coarse-grained, pinkish buff sandstone, is regarded as a historic symbol of Scotland’s monarchy, and was used in the inauguration of Scottish kings for centuries.
But in 1296 the king of England, Edward I, had it removed from Scotland and it was built into a new throne at Westminster Abbey in London.
It was returned to Scotland on St Andrew’s Day in November 1996.
Queen Elizabeth II's coronation dress - in pictures
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Norman Hartnell's sketch for the design chosen to be Queen Elizabeth II's coronation dress. Photo: The Royal Collections -
The queen's coronation gown and the Robe of the Estate, on display at Buckingham Palace in 2013. Photo: The Royal Collections -
Left, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip after the queen's coronation on June 2, 1953, in Buckingham Palace. Photo: Getty Images / Royal Collection Trust -
Queen Elizabeth II's coronation dress, designed by Sir Norman Hartnell, is on show as part of the The Queen's Coronation exhibition at Windsor Castle in celebration of her platinum jubilee. -
The Robe of the Estate by Ede & Ravenscroft with the dress. -
A Tudor rose, by glass artist Max Jacquard for the Superbloom exhibition at the Tower of London, as part of the platinum jubilee celebrations. Photo: Max Jacquard -
Max Jaquard's reworking of the Irish shamrock from the gown. Photo: Max Jacquard -
Max Jacquard's reworking of the Scottish thistle from the gown. Photo: Max Jacquard
In 1950, four Scottish students famously stole the stone from Westminster Abbey in London. It was found about three months later, 800 kilometres away, at the high altar of Arbroath Abbey.
In November 2020 Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced plans to relocate the stone — which is also known as the Stone of Scone — to Perth.
