During the Coronation, Queens Consort are also crowned and receive a number of items of regalia as part of this process.
Many items symbolise her role in supporting the King, including an orb and two sceptres.
Alongside the Queen Consort’s Ring, Her Majesty receives the Queen Consort’s Rod with Dove. So, we’ve taken a look at this piece of regalia below…
The Queen Consort’s Rod with Dove. (RCT)
The piece was created for as part of a set for the first Queen Consort after the Restoration, Mary of Modena. Crowned alongside James II in 1685, she required her own set of coronation regalia to be crowned.
The rod is made of ivory, and split into three sections, measuring 95cm total.
At the top is a gold monde, delicately enamelled with the emblems of the UK (the English rose, Scottish thistle, Irish harp and fleur-de-lis, a symbol of royalty and acknowledgement of England’s contested right to the French throne) with a cross above. On the cross sits an enamelled white dove, with its wings folded.
A close look at the Dove on the Rod (RCT)
The sections of the rod are joined by gold collars (raised sections) chased – or indented – with acanthus leaves. The gold pommel (handle at the bottom) is also enamelled with national emblems of the UK.
The piece of regalia symbolises equity and mercy, and the dove, with its folded wings, represents the Holy Ghost. The sceptre has been used by every Queen Consort since 1685, and Camilla will join this list next month.
