Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom: Encyclopedia II - Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom - The Orb and Sceptres

Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom - The Orb and Sceptres

Two Sceptres used by the Sovereign form a part of the regalia:

The Sceptre with the Cross was made in 1661, and is so called because it is surmounted by a cross. In 1905, it was redesigned to incorporate the Cullinan I, also known as the Great Star of Africa, which at over 530 carats (106 g), is the largest cut diamond in the world. During the coronation, the monarch bears the Sceptre with the Cross in the right hand.

The Sceptre with the Dove was also made in 1661, and atop it is a dove symbolising the Holy Ghost. While the Sceptre with the Cross is borne in the right hand, the Sceptre with the Dove is borne in the left one. At the same time as the Sovereign holds both Sceptres, he or she is crowned with St Edward's Crown.

The Sovereign's Orb, a type of globus cruciger, is a hollow golden sphere made in 1661. There is a band of jewels running along the centre, and a half-band on the top hemisphere. Surmounting the orb is a jewelled Cross representing the Sovereign's role as Defender of the Faith. For a part of the coronation, it is borne in the Sovereign's left hand.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "The Orb and Sceptres", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki