The legendary Stone of Destiny and King Charles' coronation

A legendary stone that was ‘liberated’ in a well-known heist will play a key function within the coronation of King Charles III

The Stone of Destiny, an historical image of the Scottish monarch, was moved south from Edinburgh to London forward of this week’s coronation.

It might be positioned beneath the 700-year-old coronation chair that King Charles III might be seated on throughout the ceremony.

The Stone of Destiny is used within the coronation of British monarchs. (AP)

Over centuries, the stone has become a strong image of England’s suppression over its neighbour, and extra just lately of Scottish patriotism.

The Stone of Destiny was captured by English forces underneath King Edward I in 1296 and moved to Westminster Abbey in London.

It was positioned beneath the coronation chair and utilized in each coronation since 1308.

King Charles III's coronation will take place on May 6. — Credit: Tara Blancato (Nine)

The stone made world headlines in 1950 when a gang of Scottish college students ‘liberated’ an historical royal image throughout a daring heist at Westminster Abbey.

Ian Hamilton, Gavin Vernon, Kay Matheson and Alan Stuart stole the Stone of Destiny on Christmas Day in 1950 from the well-known London abbey.

They noticed themselves as patriots who had been taking again an necessary piece of Scotland’s heritage by returning it to its true dwelling north of the English border.

Westminster Abbey’s Cosmati pavement, a mosaic containing marble, stone, glass and steel that dates to the thirteenth century, and the spot the place King Charles III might be coronated. (Getty)

During the theft, the gang dropped the stone , inflicting it to separate into two items, however they nonetheless eluded police patrolling outdoors Westminster Abbey.

After authorities found the Stone of Destiny was lacking they closed the England-Scotland border for the primary time in 400 years, but it surely was too late.

Three months later, the stone turned up 800km away at Arbroath Abbey in Scotland.

While condemned by English authorities, the heist was immensely fashionable amongst Scots and have become the topic of 2008 movie, Stone of Destiny.

The 4 college students had been interviewed by police however and had been recognized because the culprits, however weren’t prosecuted.

King Charles III will sit on the Coronation Chair inside Westminster Abbey in London, throughout his coronation. Westminster Abbey has been used as Britains coronation church since William the Conqueror in 1066, apart from kings Edward V and Edward VIII, who weren’t topped. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (Getty)

The stone was returned to Westminster Abbey in time for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

But it was completely moved to Scotland in 1996 and put in at Edinburgh Castle, the place it has been on public show.

Last 12 months following the demise of Queen Elizabeth II, Buckingham Palace introduced it will journey south once more for the coronation of King Charles III.