Queens 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

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in Australia 1954

A photograph from the Australian Royal tour in 1954. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip can be seen standing on the back of a moving vehicle. The Queen accessorizes her outfit with gloves, a string of pearls and a hat.
The tour was heralded as a great success by British royal watchers and Australian monarchists alike. Australians fell in love with the young couple and the 8-week tour, stopping at 70 towns and cities, was documented in the film The Queen in Australia (1954)

© NFSA. All Rights Reserved

The Queen's House Ghost on the Tulip Staircase. In 1966

The Queen's House Ghost on the Tulip Staircase. In 1966, a retired Canadian Reverend and his wife visited the Queen's House, Greenwich, London. The couple had heard about the famous Tulip staircase and took a photograph, however, once developed on their return to the Canada, they saw the photograph had also captured the image of a spectral, shrouded figure, ascending the stairs in pursuit of a second (and possibly a third) figure. The Rev and Mrs R. W. Hardy were adamant there was no figure on the stairway when the photograph was taken. The image remains an enigma to this day... Date: 1966

© The Estate of Peter Underwood / Mark Lyon Collection / Mary Evans