It is made of gold and set with 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, 269 pearls, and four rubies. This crown was made for the coronation of King George VI in 1937, replacing the crown made for Queen Victoria in 1838. While the St Edward’s Crown takes centre stage at the moment of crowning, it will not feature during the rest of the ceremony.Ĭharles will leave Westminster Abbey wearing the Imperial State Crown, which features at other prominent events, including the annual State Opening of Parliament. Which other crowns will feature in the Coronation? Meanwhile, Queen Victoria and Edward VII also opted not to wear the St Edward’s Crown because of its weight, and instead opted to wear the lighter Imperial State Crown.Įdward VII had intended to wear the St Edward’s Crown in 1902, but he was still recovering from an operation for an appendicitis on coronation day, so opted to wear the lighter headpiece. George IV was crowned with a new large diamond crown made specifically for the occasion. George I, George II, George III and William IV were all crowned with the State Crown of George I. Queen Mary II and Queen Anne were both crowned with small diamond crowns of their own. However, a number of British monarchs have opted not to wear the crown. It was subsequently used for George V in 1911, George VI in 1937, and Elizabeth II in 1953. It was first used for the crowning of Charles II in 1661, followed by James II in 1685, and William III in 1689. The existing St Edward’s Crown has been used during the coronations of a number of British monarchs since 1661. Which Kings and Queens have worn the crown? The crown is finished with a velvet purple cap and an ermine band. Prior to 1911, the crown was fitted with rented jewels for coronations, but George V had it set permanently with a collection of rubies, amethysts, sapphires, garnets, topazes and tourmalines. It features four crosses pattee and four fleurs-de-lis, and the arches are surmounted by a cross.
The crown features a solid gold frame, weighs 2.23kg and is adorned with 444 precious stones. In early December last year, the crown was removed from the Tower of London secretly to be resized for the King ahead of his coronation.īuckingham Palace only revealed the operation after it had been safely delivered for the modification work.
However, George V revived the tradition for his own coronation in 1911, and the crown has been used by every monarch since. After 1685, the crown did not feature at a coronation for over 200 years.
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