The Crown of Scotland was a centrepiece during the ceremonial opening of the Scottish Parliament on 1 July.

The Crown forms part of the Scottish Crown Jewels, or Honours of Scotland - the oldest sovereign regalia in the United Kingdom and a symbol of Scotland's rich historical past.

Scotland witnessed a unique re-enactment of history on 1 July as the Crown, which took pride of place during sittings of the last Scottish Parliament, was taken from Edinburgh Castle, down the Royal Mile to Scotland's new parliament.

The Crown was made for James V

It was made for James V and was refashioned from a heavier and damaged crown by an Edinburgh goldsmith in 1540.

Its base is made from Scottish gold encrusted with 22 gemstones and 20 other precious stones and pearls.

Last used in 1953 at a national service of thanksgiving, the Crown will be transported in a glass-topped Rolls Royce to the Assembly Hall and carried before the Queen by the Duke of Hamilton, who by tradition bears the Crown on state occasions, as the procession enters the chamber.

The Duke will then laid the Crown on a table in the chamber where it rested alongside the newly-commissioned Mace during the proceedings.

The Crown, Sword of State and Sceptre were first used at the coronation of Mary, Queen of Scots in 1543 and the coronation of her son James VI and grandson Charles I.

Oliver Cromwell, who had failed to stop the coronation of Charles II in 1651, sought to destroy the jewels and they were safely buried until Charles II's coronation in 1660.

The Crown is carried into the Assembly Hall

They were never again used for a coronation but were transported with great ceremony to the Scottish Parliament, where they signified the presence of the sovereign.

After the Act of Union in 1707 and the adjournment of the Scottish Parliament, they were kept in an oak chest in the bricked-up Crown Room at Edinburgh Castle until rediscovered by Sir Walter Scott in 1818 and put on public display.

In 1941 they were buried in different parts of the castle in case of Nazi invasion.

They were removed from the castle in 1953 for a service of thanksgiving at St Giles Cathedral and formally presented to the Queen, who returned them for safe keeping to the castle.

The Stone of Scone, the ancient coronation seat of Scotland's kings, has now joined the Honours of Scotland and the Stewart and Lorne Jewels in the Crown Room at Edinburgh Castle.