Representatives of church and state meet to unlock crown jewels

Seven representatives of church and state, including President Václav Klaus and Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek, are gathering in Prague’s Saint Vitus’ Cathedral on Thursday to unlock the chamber in which the Czech crown jewels are stored. The chamber only opens when all seven keepers of the keys unlock seven different locks at once. The Czech crown jewels will then be put on display for the general public for 11 days in Prague Castle’s Vladislav Hall. At the request of the late King Charles IV, the crown jewels are only put on display on special occasions. They are being brought out on Thursday to mark the 90th anniversary this year of an independent Czech state, as well as President Václav Klaus’s reelection.