The Stone of Scone will be transported to London for the first time in 26 years for King Charles’ Coronation

April Curtin

The Stone of Scone, also known as the Coronation Stone, set into the coronation chair at Westminster Abbey. London, England, UK. (Photo by Angelo Hornak/Corbis via Getty Images)The Stone of Scone, also known as the Coronation Stone, set into the coronation chair at Westminster Abbey. London, England, UK. (Photo by Angelo Hornak/Corbis via Getty Images)

This holy stone has already done a fair bit of travelling over the years

The Stone of Destiny, also known as the Stone of Scone, is going to be moved from Scotland yet again, and back to London’s Westminster Abbey for the Coronation of King Charles III.

For those who don’t know, the red sandstone is a symbol of monarchy and a plays a huge part in the crowning ceremony. While its earliest origins are now unknown, one legend dates back to biblical times, claiming that it is the same stone which Jacob used as a pillow at Bethel. Legend has it that it was even touched by God.

The stone doesn’t just carry importance, but also a shed load of weight too – 24 stone to be exact. So, it will require experts to transport it once the Coronation date is decided.

It’s fair to say this stone has already done a fait bit of travelling in its time.

According to Jewish legend, the stone was brought from Syria to Egypt by King Gathelus, who then fled to Spain following the Egyptian army’s defeat. One of the King’s descendants then brought the stone to Ireland, where he was crowned on top of the stone. From Ireland, the stone is thought to have moved with the invading Scots to Argyll. And in 840AD – there or thereabouts – the stone was moved to the then-capital of Scotland, Scone, hence the cake-themed name.

It was a symbol of Scottish monarchy for centuries, and used in the inauguration of the country’s kings, before it was seized by English forces in 1296 under King Edward’s power. The stone was then built into the throne as a way of showing that Edward had conquered Scotland.

Hundreds more centuries went by where the stone remained in Westminster. But in 1950, four Scottish students carried out a Christmas Day raid of the Abbey, and returned the stone to Scotland.

The stone was eventually located by English detectives and brought back to Westminster once again, in time for the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation in 1953.

But in 1996, a staggering 700 years since the stone was originally taken from Scotland, it was returned – with the Queen’s permission – and put in Edinburgh Castle on St Andrew’s Day.

So, King Charles III’s Coronation – the date of which is yet to be announced- will initiate the stone’s first returned to England in 26 years.

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