The Lesser Known Crowns
Crowns Not Used in a Sovereign's Coronation
In addition to the crowns and objects used during a sovereign’s coronation, the British Crown Jewels also includes crowns that members of the royal family worn in the past. These crowns are no longer worn, but have historical significance.
The Queen Mother's Crown
The Crown of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was made in 1937 when she was crowned queen consort of George VI. It was the first British crown to be made of platinum. It consists of four half arches that are set with diamonds from one of Queen Victoria’s circlets. The crown also includes the famous Koh-i-noor diamond, which weighs 107 carats. According to tradition, whomever owns the diamond rules the world.
Koh-i-noor means “Mountain of Light.” Its first record dates to 1526 when Sultan Baber, the founder of Mogul empire, gave the diamond to his son. The diamond passed to the Sultan’s family, including Shah Jehan. He gave the diamond to his queen, Mumtaz Mahal, for whom the Taj Mahal was built. In 1839, when the British annexed the Punjab, they discovered the diamond in the treasury at Lahore and presented it to Queen Victoria. She wore the diamond in a brooch.
At some point, a legend arose that stated that the diamond should only be worn by a woman because it would bring disaster to a man. No king of England has ever worn the stone.
Queen Mary's Crown
Queen Mary’s Crown was made for Queen Mary in 1911. The crown is set with over 2,200 diamonds. It originally contained the Koh-i-noor diamond, the Third Star of Africa, and the Fourth Star of Africa. In 1914 these diamonds were removed and replaced by crystals.
The crown was constructed in such a way that the arches could be removed and the crown could be worn as a circlet. Queen Mary wore the circlet at the coronation of her son, George VI, and at state ceremonies involving her granddaughter, Elizabeth II. Since Queen Mary’s death in 1953, her crown has not been worn.
Queen Victoria's Crown
Queen Victoria’s Small Diamond Crown was made in 1870 for Queen Victoria. The crown served two purposes. First, Queen Victoria found the Imperial State Crown too heavy and wanted something more comfortable to wear. Secondly, following the death of her husband, Prince Albert in 1861, Queen Victoria withdrew from public life and dressed as a widow. By 1870, the government was pressuring the queen to return. She could not wear the Imperial State Crown with her mourning veil. The new small crown could be worn on top of her veil. The crown was placed upon Victoria’s coffin during her funeral. In 1937 King George VI added it to the Crown Jewels and moved it from Windsor Castle to the Tower of London.
The Imperial Crown of India
The Imperial Crown of India was made for King George to wear at the Delhi Durbar in 1911, where he was to be proclaimed Emperor of India. The Imperial State Crown cannot be taken out of the country so a new crown was needed. 1911 was most likely the last time it will be worn. The crown has 8 half-arches, with alternating crosses patée and fleurs de lis along the ring. It is set with emeralds, sapphires, rubies, and over 6,000 diamonds mined in India.
Mary of Modena's Crown
Mary of Modena’s Crown and Diadem were made for the coronation of Mary of Modena, the consort of James II, in 1685. Mary wore the crystal and pearl diadem on her way to her coronation. Her stepdaughter, Mary II, altered the crown when she adopted it as her State Crown and had it set with the Black Prince’s Ruby. Mary II’s sister, Queen Anne, and George I also wore the crown as their State Crown.
When George II became king, he adopted the State Crown of Charles II as his State Crown and had the Black Prince’s Ruby reset in it. Mary of Modena’s crown then became a queen consort’s crown. It was used by subsequent queen consorts, but has not been worn since Queen Adelaide, consort of William IV.
The Prince of Wales's Crown
There are three Prince of Wales’s Crowns in the Crown Jewels. The first was made in 1729 for Frederick Louis, the son of George II and father of George III, for his investiture as Prince of Wales. The second crown as made for George V at the coronation of his father, Edward VII. In 1969, a new crown was commissioned for Prince Charles for his investiture. The new crown is kept at Caenarvon Castle in Wales.
All of these crowns can be seen with the rest of the Crown Jewels in the Jewel House at the Tower of London.
Sources:
Butler, Colonel Sir Thomas. The Coronation Jewels and Coronation Ceremony. London: Pitkin Pictorials, 1992.
London Online. “Crown Jewels” (accessed July 22, 2009)
The Queen Mother's Crown on her coffin
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Queen Victoria, 1882
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