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Sovereign's Orb facts for kids

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Charles II of England in Coronation robes
Charles II holding the Orb in 1661
British Sovereigns Orb
The Orb
Crown jewels Poland 9
The orb as part of the crown jewels of Poland

The Sovereign's Orb is a piece of coronation regalia. It was created for the coronation of Charles II in 1661 from the royal goldsmith Robert Viner. It is made of gold, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, amethyst, diamonds, pearls, and enamel. It has been used at all coronations and events after the one of Charles II.

In 1671, it was damaged in Colonel Thomas Blood's attempt to steal the regalia. The Orb shows Christian sovereignty over the earth. It was set with 12 large diamonds, 30 rubies, sapphires, and emeralds for the coronation of George I in 1714.

During the coronation ceremony, the Archbishop of Canterbury places the orb in the right hand of the Monarch. It is put back on the altar. The Monarch leaves the coronation wearing the Crown, carrying the Scepter, and holding the Orb.

William and Mary came to the throne in 1689 as King and Queen, each in their own right. An orb was made for Mary II. It is called Queen Mary's Orb. It was used once and never used again. Both orbs were placed on Queen Victoria's coffin at her funeral.

The orbs are hollow balls of gold. The Sovereign's Orb is 6.5" in diameter. It weighs 42oz 7dwt. Queen Mary's orb is smaller: it measures 5.75" in diameter. It weighs 34oz 6dwt. Queen Mary's orb was originally set with hired jewels. Today it is set with imitations for display purposes. The Sovereign's Orb is currently set with over 600 precious stones and pearls.

Images for kids

  • Elizabeth II in coronation regalia

    Elizabeth II dressed in her regalia, 1953

  • Crude painting of King Athelstan wearing his crown and handing over the book to a haloed Saint Cuthbert. Both men wear medieval robes.

    King Æthelstan presenting an illuminated manuscript to St Cuthbert, c. 930

  • A coin-like device embossed with Edward the Confessor sitting on his throne in the centre and an inscription around the border.

    First great seal of the Confessor

  • High-backed gothic chair with the Stone of Scone placed into a cavity under the seat and a sword and shield resting on each arm at Westminster Abbey.

    The Stone of Scone in the Coronation Chair, 1859

  • Coronation portrait of Elizabeth I in a gold robe trimmed with ermine. She wears a crown and holds a gold sceptre in her right hand and a blue orb in her left.

    Elizabeth I, c. 1600

  • Coronation portrait of Charles I standing next to some of his regalia in front of a red drape.

    Charles I standing beside Henry VIII's Crown and a gold orb and sceptre, 1631

  • Black-and-white sketch of Thomas Blood and two of his accomplices stealing objects from the Jewel House. The regalia cupboard is partially open, and a man lies wounded on the floor.

    Thomas Blood making his escape, drawn 1793

  • Art Deco crown covered in diamonds of all shapes and sizes

    Queen Mary's Crown

  • Austere golden coronet with one arch dipped in the centre

    Coronet of Prince Frederick

  • Three swords: one of gold and silver appearance covered in stones, the others red with gilded handles and decorations

    Left to right: The Sword of Offering, the Sword of State, and the Sword of Mercy

  • Black-and-white sketch of four men blowing trumpets and one carrying a mace over his shoulder

    Trumpeters and a mace bearer at the 1685 coronation of James II

  • Ornament of an eagle with outspread wings

    The Ampulla

  • Demure young Victoria kneeling before a gold communion cup and wearing a gold robe decorated with roses, thistles and shamrocks

    Queen Victoria wearing a copy of the Imperial Mantle, now in the Museum of London, 1838

  • Gold ball with a cross at the top and a band of gems around the equator

    Sovereign's Orb

  • Gold rod surmounted by a large diamond, itself supporting a large round amethyst, on top of which is a cross made of diamonds with an emerald at its centre.

    Head of Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross

  • Black-and-white photograph of large altar dishes standing on a table in front of the royal box during a coronation

    Altar dishes behind George V at his coronation in 1911

  • Queen Victoria and her family assembled in St George's Chapel, Windsor, for the baptism of her eldest son

    Lily Font on top of the Charles II Font and Basin at the christening of Edward, Prince of Wales, 1842

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