Crowns Gallery

Royal crowns and sceptre

Symbols of imperial Majesty: St Edward's Crown, with 444 precious stones, remains one of the senior Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom, being the official coronation crown. Imperial State Crown, symbolises the sovereignty of the monarch, there have been several versions since the 15th century, similar to that of St Edward's Crown, but shorter and encrusted with jewels, precious gems, diamonds, pearls, sapphires, emeralds and rubies. State Crown of Queen Mary Consort of King George V of England. Imperial Crown of India, was the crown of three British sovereigns as Emperors of India during the final decades of the Indian Empire. Date: 1935

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Garrards making the Queens Coronation crown, 1937

Mr Charles Stone, of Messrs. Garrard's, the Court jewellers, assembling the various parts of the circlet first made for Queen Victoria and modified for each succeeding Coronation. The crown was designed with four crosses, or patee and four fleurs de lys and the famous Koh-i-Noor diamond was set in the front cross patee. The crown was adapted for Queen Elizabeth, consort of King George VI and later the Queen Mother, by including four complete arches instead of the eight half arches forming Queen Mary's crown. Date: 1937

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Coronation of King George VI, robes, regalia and vestments

Four pictures showing the changes of King's Coronation robes and vestments during the Coronation ceremony. On the left, the King arrives at Westminster Abbey in crimson velvet Robe of State and the Cap of Estate. After anointing he is invested with the Imperial Mantle of Cloth of Gold embroidered with golden eagles. He then receives the orb before handing it back and receiving the Sceptre with the Cross and the Sceptre with the Dove and being crowned with St. Edward's Crown. Finally, at the end of the ceremony, he withdraws to St. Edward's Chapel where he changes into a Royal Purple Robe of State and wears the Imperial State Crown for leaving the Abbey. Date: 1937

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans