Academic reveals fate of Stone of Destiny pieces

THE fate of “hidden” Stone of Destiny fragments has been traced by a researcher who has been unravelling the mysteries behind the artefact.

- BY NEIL POORAN

The Stone of Destiny is still used in the coronation of British monarchs - most recently that of King Charles

Professor Sally Foster's theory about the puzzling “XXXV” Roman numeral on the underside of the sandstone block has also been published in an academic journal.

The Stirling University academic has been carrying out painstaking research to uncover the stories behind several fragments which were separated from the original piece when it was repaired in secret in 1951.

The 152kg block was spirited away from Westminster Abbey by a group of Scottish nationalist students the previous year.

It broke in two during the audacious raid and was repaired by stonemason and sympathiser Bertie Gray before being returned to the police.

Prof Foster's research suggests Gray collected 34 fragments of the original stone during this secretive work, as well as potentially inscribing the numeral for 35 on the stone itself as a lighthearted nod to his own role in the story of the artefact.

Following a public appeal earlier this year, Prof Foster's research has been published in The Antiquaries Journal as an academic paper.