Little tweak for historic crown

Britain's 17th-century St Edward's Crown - centerpiece of the Crown Jewels - has been removed from display to be altered for the coronation of King Charles III next year.

The solid gold crown, encrusted with rubies, amethysts, sapphires, garnet, topazes and tourmaline, will undergo modification for the coronation at Westminster Abbey on May 6.

It is the centerpiece of the Crown Jewels, a large collection of royal regalia housed in the Tower of London, attracting million of visitors.

It is about 30 centimeters tall and very heavy. It was last worn by Queen Elizabeth II, at her coronation in 1953.

Charles III, 74, will be crowned along with his wife, Queen Consort Camilla.

The crown was made for King Charles II in 1661 to replace a medieval crown. It was altered to make it lighter for the coronation of King George V in 1911, but still weighs 2.23 kilograms.

Charles III will only wear it at the moment he is crowned. He will wear the more modern Imperial State Crown after leaving Westminster Abbey.

Set with over 2,000 diamonds, it was created in 1937 for the coronation of King George VI.

Charles became king when his mother Queen Elizabeth II died at 96 on September 8 after reigning for a record 70 years.