The British Crown Jewels: Three Crowns for the Sovereign

The Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom are the visible emblems of the British monarchy. It consists of 140 objects with a history that spans for more than eight centuries. They are on view and are kept in the Tower of London and guarded by the sovereign’s guards. The Crown Jewels are profound attractions that lure millions of people all over the world to come visit it.  In this three-part series, we will discover the history of these priceless treasures and what make them a significant part of the monarchy.

Crowns are the main symbols of royal authority and the British sovereign has three of them: King Edward the Confessor’s crown also known as St. Edward’s crown; the Imperial State Crown; and the Imperial Crown of India.  

St. Edward’s Crown was made for the coronation of Charles II in 1662 after the pattern of the ancient crown destroyed by the Commonwealth. It consists of a circlet of gold adorned with rosettes of precious stones, surrounded by diamonds. The centre gems of these rosettes are rubies, emeralds and sapphires. From the circlet rise four crosses-pate, and four fleurs-de-lys alternately, adorned with diamonds and other gems. From the tops of the crosses rise two complete arches of gold crossing dependent sovereignty. They are edged with rows of silver pearls, and have gems and clusters of gem upon them. ON the top of the arches is a mound of gold surmounted by a cross, all richly jewelled. This is the crown of England and is the one used at English coronation ceremonies. 

The Imperial State Crown was made for Queen Victoria in 1838. Many of the gems in this crown are very ancient in origin. Among these are the Black Prince’s ruby, which is as large as a small hen’s egg, and was owned first by Edward the Black Prince, and later worn by Henry V at the battle of Agincourt. The great sapphire from the crown of Charles II, known as the Stuart sapphire; the second largest portion of the Star  of Africa diamond weighing 309 carats; Queen Elizabeth pearl ear-drops; and the sapphire from the coronation ring of Edward the Confessor.  There are altogether in this crown exclusive of the larger stones, four rubies, 11 emeralds, 16 sapphires, 277 pearls and 2,783 diamonds. It is the most valuable and beautiful crown in the world.

The Imperial Crown of India owes its origin to the law which forbids the crown of England from being taken out of England. When, King George V was crowned in Delhi as Emperor of India, a new crown had to be made for him and his successors to the throne. This crown is finely designed on the English pattern, with four crosses-pate and four fleurs-de-lys set alternately on the upper rim of the circlet. From this spring eight half-arches which in their turn support a rich mound and cross at the top, all thick set with diamonds. There are several very fine emeralds, rubies, and sapphires in his crown. It cost £60,000.