Queen Consort will NOT wear controversial crown at coronation
For the first time in recent history, the queen consort will be wearing a recycled crown for the coronation rather than have a new one commissioned.
Camilla will wear a modified version of Queen Mary’s crown, made by Garrad for the 1911 coronation and commissioned by Queen Mary, the consort of George V.
In tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, the crown will be modified with the Cullinan III, IV and V diamonds, part of the late queen’s personal jewellery collection, often worn by her as brooches.
Buckingham Palace has announced that the recycled crown will not feature the Koh-i-Noor diamond.
The Koh-i-Noor diamond was seized by the East India Company in 1849 and presented to Queen Victoria, which featured in the late queen's mother’s crown in 1937.
The Koh-i-Noor diamond is controversial in terms of how it was acquired and what it symbolises. A spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata party of Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, was recently reported saying it “brings back painful memories of the colonial past.”
The last time a queen consort crown has been re-used was in the 18th century when queen Caroline, consort of George II, wore Mary of Modena’s crown.
“The choice of Queen Mary’s crown by her majesty is the first time in recent history that an existing crown will be used for the coronation of a consort instead of a new commission being made, in the interests of sustainability and efficiency.” Buckingham Palace announced.
It’s not the first time the Cullinan diamonds have been set into Queen Mary’s crown, Cullinan III and IV were temporarily set in the crown for the 1911 coronation, and the Cullinan V was added to the crown when it was worn as a regal circlet at King George VI’s coronation in 1937.
In addition, four of the crown’s eight detachable arches are set to be removed to create a different impression from when it was worn by Queen Mary at the 1911 coronation.
The design was inspired by Queen Alexandra’s crown, worn in 1902. It can be worn without the arches in the form of a regal circlet, which Queen Mary wore for the coronation of her son, King George VI, in 1937.
St Edward’s crown will be used for the coronation of the king and has been returned to public display at the Tower of London after the modification work, Buckingham Palace announced.
Queen Mary’s crown has been removed from display at the Tower of London to be modified before the king’s coronation on May 6 at Westminister Abbey.
Image credit: Getty