The Stone of Destiny was used during King Charles’ Coronation (Image: Getty)
The mysterious inscription on the Stone of Destiny used in since the 13th century may have been solved.
Also known as Stone of Scone, this has been placed under the chair of nearly every British monarch during their coronations since 1307, including
Ahead of the King’s Coronation, subtle Roman numeral markings were discovered, which had previously gone unnoticed, reading XXXV (35).
at Stirling University, Professor Sally Foster, believes the inscriptions were made in the 1950s following the notorious robbery of the large sandstone block on Christmas Day in 1950.
Four students, aiming to return the stone to Scotland, dropped the artefact and broke it due to its staggering weight of 24 stone, before escaping with both pieces in a car.
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The stone is now housed in Perth, Scotland (Image: Getty)
Professor Foster hypothesised that Robert ‘Bertie’ Gray, the Scottish stonemason who supervised the stone’s restoration in 1951, made the markings.
Foster believes it symbolises the stone is in 35 fragments. Gray never disclosed the exact number of fragments before his death in 1975, but it’s believed that more than 30 were created during the restoration.
Foster told PA news agency: “The penny dropped – 34 fragments plus one stone equals 35. Of course I can’t prove this, but what else might it be?”
“He [Bertie Gray] is writing on it ‘this is the 35th’. It fits in with his sense of humour and with him putting his own mark on the stone.”
The main 335 lb (152 kg) slab is currently on display in Perth after being used in the 2023 coronation.
It was used in King Charles’ coronation (Image: Getty)
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After the theft in 1950, robbers had hired Gray to mend the stone, who inserted a brass rod, containing a piece of paper, during his repair (although what was written on the paper remains unknown).
Authorities closed the border between and England for the first time in 400 years. The stone was found on the altar at Arbroath Abbey, draped in a Saltire, in April 1951 before being returned to Westminster the following year.
A Historic Environment Scotland spokesperson told : “We don’t know for certain when these markings were made on the Stone, or what they signify.
“While they have the appearance of Roman numerals, this does not necessarily mean they date to Roman times.
“The appearance of the markings and the fact they have not been recorded previously suggest they may have been carved more recently. We hope this will be an area for further research.”