King Charles to receive new sword named after late Queen as part of Scottish Crown Jewels
30.06.2023 - 07:51
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
A new sword will be presented to King Charles when he receives Scotland's Crown Jewels at a ceremony in Edinburgh. On Thursday, craftsmen unveiled the new sword, named The Elizabeth after the late Queen, who died in September 2022.
The King is to be presented with the Honours of Scotland at a national service of thanksgiving at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh on July 5, but will be given the new sword on the Monday before.
The Elizabeth is to fill the gap left by the Sword of State, otherwise known as the Papal sword, which has not been used at public events in recent years due to its deteriorating condition.
The sword was designed by Mark Dennis, an advocate from St Andrews. The design takes inspiration from both thistles and the Scottish landscape.
Mr Dennis said: "There's never been anything like it before. It was a concept and the concept was simply this; it had to work. It had to work as a ceremonial sword, so it's overall dimensions are about the same as the papal sword, but it also had to be entirely different.
"So the nature of it, the fact that the hilt and the quillings are a swirling thistle you'll never have seen before on another sword. Gilded as it is, it looks appropriate. It looks like a sword of state."
Mr Dennis said he wanted to create something that truly represents Scotland, "not with the scotty dogs and whisky bottles and things, but really integrally the land, the symbols and the sense of Scotland".
Engraved on one side of the blade is the Royal motto, "In my defens God me defend", and "Nemo me impune lacessit", the motto of the Order of the Thistle, is engraved on the other.
Mr Dennis is certain the King will be happy with the specially crafted blade. He said: "We're going to be presenting it to