CHURCH of England leaders have been told they must reject the use of Scotland’s Stone of Destiny in the coronation.
Retired priest Charles Mugleston wrote to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Archbishop of York calling for the ceremony to not use the Scottish relic in the ceremony as a “gesture of respect” to the people of Scotland.
The 68-year-old, who lives in Felixstowe, Suffolk, said he was moved by the history of Scotland which he had learned from visits to the country as well as reading history books by Tom Devine and programmes from archaeologist Neil Oliver.
He said his letter could be seen as an “apology” from England to Scotland because of historical “mistreatment”.
In the letter, Mugleston (above) – a member of the Liberal Catholic Church – suggested using stone from Iona which would be blessed by leaders of all faiths in Britain.
He wrote: “That a respectful request is made to His Majesty to forego the right and usage of the Stone of Scone at his forthcoming coronation as a gesture of respect for the people of Scotland, whereby, such a magnanimous tangible gesture – a Piece of Peace – could, would be returned by the gift to His Majesty of a new stone – perhaps a slab of the beautiful green and white marble of Iona duly blessed by the leaders of all the faith traditions in these isles and consecrated by your excellency and most reverend selves.
“Such a mutual gesture of reconciliation - healing the disgusting treatment of the Scottish people by the English down the centuries even up to today would mark a whole new beginning which is what everyone desires.”
Speaking to The National he added: “That letter is an apology from the English to the Scots, that I’m making on my own behalf and I am sure on others’ behalf.
“It’s something that needs to be done – we need reconciliation for centuries of ill-treatment, I’m afraid, that you’ve suffered up there and I think that would be a wonderful opportunity for the English to do that and to make right what’s been going on even until now.”
The Stone of Destiny traditionally sits under the monarch’s throne while the Coronation ceremony takes place. It is currently housed in Edinburgh Castle and the Alba Party previously called for 100 Scots to guard it on its journey to England later this year for protection.
The Church of England said changes to the Coronation ceremony were matters for the royal household.
Buckingham Palace did not respond to a request for comment.
