Why King Charles will receive a second 'wedding ring' at his coronation

Queen Elizabeth II drops her gaze and watches in silence as a large sapphire and ruby ring is placed on the fourth finger of her right hand.

It was June 1953 when the then-25-year-old royal received the historic piece of jewellery, known as the 'Wedding Ring of England', during her Coronation.

Seventy years on, royal tradition will see the late Queen's eldest son bestowed with the same ring.

On May 6 this year, Charles Philip Arthur George Windsor will be crowned King Charles III, the 62nd British monarch.

READ MORE: 'I couldn't move': Moment the Queen got 'stuck' at her coronation

The 74-year-old ascended the throne in September last year following his mother's death.

The ring, also known as The Sovereign's Ring, contains a mixed-cut octagonal sapphire set in gold overlaid with four rectangular-cut and one square-cut rubies.

The stones are joined by a gold strip setting forming a cross, according to the Royal Collection Trust.

Since the 13th century, it has been royal tradition to include a ruby as the feature stone in the ring.

READ MORE: 'Very rare thing to have happened': Secret story behind coronation crowns

As well as the sapphire and ruby, it has 14 cushion-shaped diamonds, with a diamond on each shoulder and a gold hoop.

"During the coronation ceremony the ring is placed on the fourth finger of the sovereign by the archbishop, as a symbol of 'kingly dignity'," the Trust said.

"The presentation of the ring forms part of the investiture of the coronation, which is preceded by the anointing with holy oil, and is followed by the crowning itself." 

The ring was made for the coronation of William IV in 1831. The late King ruled from 1830 until his death in 1837. His niece, Victoria, then took the throne. 

READ MORE: 'Impossible to carry the heavy burden': The king who was never crowned

King William left his coronation ring to his widow, Queen Adelaide, who bequeathed it and her consort ring to Queen Victoria.

Until the 20th century, each monarch had a newly made coronation ring. In the case of Queen Victoria, her coronation ring was inspired by the one made for her uncle.

Yet, a misunderstanding led to the newly crowned Queen suffering in pain after being bestowed with her new "wedding ring". 

Royal goldsmiths Rundell, Bridge & Rundell crafted the ring for the wrong finger, thinking it was for a pinkie finger and not the ring finger.

"Unfortunately the Archbishop forced it on her ring finger and Queen Victoria had to soak her hand in iced water after the ceremony," the Trust said. 

"She later wrote in her Journal 'I had the greatest difficulty to take it off again, - which I at last did with great pain'". 

READ MORE: The moment the Queen got 'stuck' on her coronation day

Despite the ordeal, the Queen had the ring inscribed after the ceremony 'Queen Victoria's Coronation Ring 1838'.

"I shall ever remember this day as the proudest of my life," the monarch was quoted as saying following her historic day.

Queen Victoria left her coronation ring and the rings of William IV and Queen Adelaide to the Crown. In 1919, King George V – King Charles III's great-grandfather – placed the three rings with the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London.

Queen Victoria reigned for almost 64 years, the second longest British monarch only surpassed by her great-great-granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II, who ruled for 70 years.

READ MORE: Meet the man organising the King's coronation

More than 20 million people tuned in to the BBC to watch the monarch's 1953 coronation on television. The historic number exceeded those listening in on radio and marked a modernisation of the monarchy.

In line with royal tradition, the coronation of King Charles and the Queen Consort will take place at Westminster Abbey. Both will be presented with a ring.

The passing of the ring to the King will mark his second 'wedding ring'.

He reportedly wears his wedding ring to the Queen Consort stacked under the gold signet ring worn on the little finger on his left hand. He chose to wear his wedding ring to the late Princess Diana in the same manner.

The ring, also referred to as a 'gentlemen's ring' is believed to be almost 180 years old

"Signet rings can carry meaning, reminding the wearer of their family, or, in the case of a club or society crest, creating a sense of kinship and belonging, much like a club tie or a pin badge", author and etiquette expert Lucy Hume told The Telegraph.

"They were used historically as a seal with a unique family crest to sign documents."

The Archbishop of Canterbury will conduct the service, which will "reflect the Monarch's role today and look towards the future".

It will also be "rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry".

The King and The Queen Consort will be joined by members of the royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to conclude the ceremonial events.

Watch 9News' special coverage of King Charles' coronation for free on 9Now.