King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla got a major jewelry upgrade during the coronation.
May 6 marks the first time in nearly 70 years that Britain has crowned a new monarch since Charles’ late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, had her coronation in 1953. The headpieces, swords, scepters and rings used decades ago for the queen’s coronation reemerged from the royal collection to anoint Charles as the sovereign monarch of Britain.
The gold, silver and jewel-adorned relics are collectively called the crown jewels, and when it isn’t coronation day or any other rare, momentous occasion, they are heavily guarded in the Tower of London.
Here are the details of sacred and secular objects at the center of the royal event.
more: Everything that happened at King Charles III’s coronation
King Charles’ coronation crown
Before Charles and Camilla took off in the Gold State Coach back to Buckingham Palace, they were vested with crowns to symbolize their time as the head of the monarchy.
King Charles wore two crowns during the ceremony: St. Edward’s crown and the Imperial State Crown. The former crown was only used for ceremonial purposes and was swapped with the Imperial Crown, or Tudor Crown, for the king’s procession back to Buckingham Palace.
St. Edward’s Crown is the traditional coronation crown dating back to 1661 for King Charles II; Queen Elizabeth II also used the headpiece for her coronation ceremony. The crown features four crosses and four fleurs-de-lis with a cross and orb at the top to represent Christianity. The circumference of the crown is made of solid gold and encrusted with rubies, amethysts, sapphires and other jewels. The cap portion is made of purple velvet and the base is made of ermine fur, and was modified for the new king.
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Charles left the ceremony wearing the Imperial State Crown, which looks similar to St. Edward’s Crown but shines with 2,868 diamonds and several famous jewels including the Cullinan II diamond. The Imperial State Crown, made in 1937, gets more wear than St. Edward’s as it’s worn during the state opening of parliament.
Did Queen Camilla wear a crown?
Queen Consort Camilla also got fancy headgear as she was crowned with Queen Mary’s Crown. Camilla chose to be adorned with the headpiece, marking the first time a queen consort will be crowned with an already existing crown. Queen Mary’s crown was created in 1911 for Queen Mary’s coronation but was customized for Camilla with new diamonds that belonged to Queen Elizabeth.
Coronation rings have sapphires, diamonds, rubies
With fancy crowns come even fancier rings, rods and scepters that Charles and Camilla held and wore during the ceremony.
The archbishop put the Sovereign’s Ring, nicknamed the wedding ring of England, on Charles’ fourth finger before he received St. George. Edward’s crown. The gold ring has a sapphire centerpiece with a ruby cross set in diamonds over the top. Every monarch dating back to King Edward VII has worn the piece of jewelry for their coronation, it was first made in 1831.
Camilla’s ring is also made of rubies and has been worn by many of the queen consorts before her, including the Queen Mother. The gold ring was created in 1831 for Queen Adelaide who was married to King William IV.
Scepters, rods and the sovereign orb
Both Charles and Camilla carried scepters and a rod that closely resembled one another with symbols of doves and crosses; the queen consort’s dove emblem is held on a rod instead of a scepter.
The king’s scepter with a cross “represents the sovereign’s temporal power,” according to Buckingham Palace, and consists of the Cullinan I diamond set by a heart-shaped gold enamel. Camilla’s corresponding cross scepter is pared down with crystals instead of diamonds, with a cross sitting on the top.
The dove scepter, which is also named “The Rod of Equity and Mercy,” is representative of Charles’ spiritual duties with the dove signifying the Holy Ghost. Camilla’s dove rod is made of ivory with a dove sitting on top of a golden globe.
King Charles’ orb, which weighs almost 3 pounds, was made in the 17th century. The crown jewel represents the king’s power while representing the Christian world as a cross sits on top of the sphere.
Read all our King Charles III coronation coverage:
Biggest moments: Charles and Camilla crowned, royal family appears on balcony
The balcony: See who greeted the crowd with Charles and Camilla (not Harry)
King Charles III formally crowned: A recap of the monarch’s coronation day
Queen Camilla looks regal: She is also crowned at King Charles III coronation
Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis: See the royal grandchildren on coronation day
Prince Harry and Prince William: Look back at their complicated relationship
Coronation photos: See all the best photos from the ceremony and procession
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: King Charles’ coronation jewels: Guide to crowns, rings, meanings