Queen Mary's Crown for Queen Camilla's Coronation

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Royal aides removed Queen Mary’s Crown from display at the Tower of London ahead of the Coronation.

An official statement on the British Royal Family‘s official website today. Royal aides removed Queen Mary’s Crown from display at the Tower of London.

The Crown needs in fact, modification work ahead of the Coronation of Their Majesties on Saturday, 6th May 2023. Camilla, the Queen Consort, will use Queen Mary’s Crown for her Coronation at Westminster Abbey.

Queen Mary’s Crown. (c) Royal Collection Trust.

For the first time in recent history, an existing crown will be used for the Coronation of a Consort. This choice avoids the commission of a new crown, as in the case of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, in 1937.

The Crown Jeweller will undertake some minor changes and additions. This follows the longstanding tradition that the insertion of jewels is unique to the occasion and reflects the Consort’s style.

These changes will pay tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Cullinan III, IV and V will adorn the Crown. The diamonds were part of Queen Elizabeth II’s personal jewellery collection. She often wore them as brooches.

Queen Elizabeth II wearing the Cullinan III and IV as a brooch, aka “Granny’s Chips” – 94.4 and 63.6 carats respectively. (1911 for Queen Mary).

The Cullinan V Brooch – 18.8 carats. (1911 for Queen Mary). (c) Royal Collection Trust.

The Cullinan diamonds have been set into Queen Mary’s Crown on previous occasions. Cullinan III and IV were temporarily set in the Crown for the 1911 Coronation. The Cullinan V was inserted when the Crown was worn as a regal circlet at King George VI’s Coronation in 1937.

In addition, the Crown Jeweller will remove four of the Crown’s eight detachable arches to create a different impression from when Queen Mary wore the Crown at the 1911 Coronation.

St Edward’s Crown will be used for the Coronation of His Majesty The King. This Crown is now back on public display at the Tower of London following the completion of modification work.

St Edward’s Crown. 1661, recreated for the coronation of King Charles II, with later alterations and additions.
Gold, silver, platinum, enamel, tourmalines, topazes, rubies, amethysts, sapphires, garnet, peridot, zircons, spinel, aquamarines, velvet and ermine. (c) Royal Collection Trust.

Queen Mary’s Crown

Garrard & Co made Queen Mary’s Crown for the 1911 coronation – a commission by Queen Mary, the Consort of King George V.

King George V and Queen Mary on their Coronation Day. (c) DEA/BIBLIOTECA AMBROSIANA.

Queen Alexandra’s Crown of 1902 inspired the design.

The Coronation of King Edward VII; the Crowning of Queen Alexandra. Signed and dated 1904. By the Danish artist Laurits Tuxen.

Like Queen Alexandra’s Crown, the arches can be removed to form a regal circlet. The Queen wore the regal circlet for the Coronation of her son, King George VI, in 1937.

Queen Mary’s Crown without the arches – it can be worn in the form of a regal circlet.

Photograph showing a half-length portrait of Queen Mary in the circlet or coronation crown she wore at the Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, together with family orders and the Order of the Garter. 12 May 1937. Hay Wrightson (1874-1949).

This is the first time a Queen Consort’s Crown has been re-used since the 18th century, when Queen Caroline, Consort of George II, wore Mary of Modena’s crown.