WHAT’S THE STORY?
IT was 25 years ago today that prime minister John Major got to his feet in the House of Commons and announced that the Stone of Destiny would be repatriated from Westminster Abbey to an undecided location in Scotland.
His exact statement was as follows: “The Stone of Destiny is the most ancient symbol of Scottish kingship. It was used in the coronation of Scottish Kings until the end of the 13th century. Exactly 700 years ago, in 1296, King Edward I brought it from Scotland and housed it in Westminster Abbey.
“The stone remains the property of the Crown. I wish to inform the House that, on the advice of Her Majesty’s ministers, the Queen has agreed that the stone should be returned to Scotland. The stone will, of course, be taken to Westminster Abbey to play its traditional role in the coronation ceremonies of future sovereigns of the United Kingdom.