As the preparations for the coronation of King Charles III continue, Cicada‘s client Newby Hall is dusting off its own crown jewels ready for the ceremony this weekend and inviting visitors to celebrate the coronation at an afternoon tea amid its award-winning herbaceous borders.

The 17th century house and gardens in Ripon, North Yorkshire, is home to a full replica set of the official coronation regalia.

The family home of the Compton family, Newby Hall has a close association with the crown jewels, a distant ancestor having commissioned the official coronation regalia for Charles II after the originals were destroyed during the Civil War.

Sir Robert Vyner was appointed goldsmith and banker to King Charles ll in 1661 when he commissioned the coronation regalia. The Vyner name can be traced back through the family ancestery of Newby Hall.

Sir Robert’s invoice for the regalia was £12,184.7s.6d, equivalent to £1,754,496 in today’s money. The invoice is on display on a wall outside Newby’s Billiard Room.

The official regalia are still used today to crown the monarch and will feature on 6 May at the coronation of King Charles.

Made last century, Newby’s replica set includes an Imperial State Crown; St Edward’s Crown and Staff; St George’s Bracelets; Queen Consort’s Ivory Rod; Royal Sceptre with the Cross; Sovereign’s Sceptre with the Dove; Anointing Spoon; Ring; Ampulla; St George’s Spurs; King’s Orb; Sword of Mercy, and Sword of Temperal Justice.

All are on prominent display at Newby Hall, one of Britain’s finest Adam houses.

Newby’s afternoon tea to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III will be staged on Monday 8 May from 3pm – 5pm. Partygoers can mark the historic event by taking photographs on Newby’s oversized ‘throne’ and try the replica Saint Edwards Crown for size. They will be serenaded by live music from ‘The Frankly Jazz Quartet’ who will bring the celebrations to life with some rousing patriotic sing-a-long tunes.

Afternoon teas must be pre-ordered online with garden tickets by Wednesday 3 May
Coronation Afternoon Tea Celebrations Monday 8th May 2023 (newbyhall.com)

Richard Compton said: “We are very much looking forward to marking the King’s coronation with our once in a lifetime afternoon tea in the magnificent setting of our award-winning herbaceous borders. It is so fitting that Newby has its own replica set of the coronation regalia which we are delighted to own and have on display for visitors. The regalia will take pride of place at Newby on His Majesty’s coronation weekend in May.”