Everything We Know About Queen Camilla’s Coronation Crown
Updated: May 03, 2023
For the first time, the queen consort will wear an existing crown for her coronation.
Over the last several weeks, there has been increasing intrigue as to which crown Camilla, the Queen Consort, will wear at the coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey on May 6. Though some have speculated she would wear a crown that features a particularly controversial diamond, Buckingham Palace has finally put those rumors to rest.
Which crown will Queen Consort Camilla wear for the coronation?
Buckingham Palace has announced that Queen Consort Camilla will wear Queen Mary’s Crown for the momentous occasion. It’s the first time in modern history that an existing crown will be used for the coronation of a consort.
The choice to wear an existing crown is a bold one and marks the new King and Queen Consort’s commitment to sustainability. King Charles III has been an advocate for the environment for decades and is known for speaking out against climate change.
It is typically customary for a new crown to be made for a coronation, and many suspected Camilla would wear a crown featuring the Koh-i-Noor diamond, a stone at the center of much controversy. While the diamond is currently in Britain’s possession, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Afghani Taliban all believe the stone to be rightfully theirs, as it belonged to a number of rulers before it was acquired by Britain in 1849. Over the years, India has continued to request the return of the diamond, increasing pressure on Britain.
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What is Queen Mary’s Crown?
Made in 1911, Queen Mary’s Crown was designed for Mary of Teck, the wife of King George V. What makes Queen Mary’s Crown particularly unique is that Mary purchased it with her own money, intent on making it an heirloom passed down to queens consort for generations to come.
The crown is part of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom, which are a collection of prized royal objects securely stored in the Tower of London. The Crown Jewels include coronation regalia as well as many robes and jewels worn by British monarchs, all of which will one day be worn by members of the current royal family.
How will Queen Mary’s Crown honor Queen Elizabeth II?
Queen Mary’s Crown will be modified slightly to include the Cullinan II, IV and V, diamonds, which were some of Queen Elizabeth II’s most prized stones. The late queen was known for wearing the diamonds as brooches. While the Cullinan diamonds are not without their own storied past, the controversy surrounding them is far less than the Koh-i-Noor diamond.
Originally Published: February 15, 2023
