Imperial State Crown
The Imperial State Crown is one of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom and symbolises the sovereignty of the monarch.[1] The crown has existed in several versions since the 15th century.
The modern version of the Imperial State Crown is of a design somewhat similar to that of St Edward's Crown, but shorter and encrusted with jewels: it includes a base of four crosses alternating with four fleurs-de-lis, above which are four half-arches surmounted by a cross. Inside is a purple velvet cap with an ermine border. The Imperial State Crown includes many precious gems, including 2,868 diamonds, 273 pearls, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, and 5 rubies.
The crown includes several famous jewels. The cross at the top is set with a stone known as St. Edward's Sapphire, a sapphire taken from the ring (or possibly coronet) of Edward the Confessor. The Black Prince's Ruby (actually a spinel) is set on the front cross pattée; the famous Cullinan II, or Lesser Star of Africa, is set on the front; and the back band contains the 104-carat (20.8 g) Stuart Sapphire. The crown also contains Queen Elizabeth’s Pearls.
When not in use, it is kept with the other Crown Jewels on display at the Jewel House in the Tower of London.[1]
Imperial State Crown Media
- Imperial State Crown of Queen Victoria (2).jpg
Imperial State Crown, 1904
- Charles III parliamentary procession 2024 (cropped).jpg
Charles III wearing the crown to the 2024 State Opening of Parliament
- Imperial State Crown of Queen Victoria.jpg
Hand-coloured lithograph of Queen Victoria's Imperial State Crown
- Detail of Queen Victoria's Coronation Portrait.jpg
Queen Victoria depicted wearing the 1838 Imperial State Crown for her coronation portrait
- H.M. King Edward VII in coronation robes.png
Edward VII wearing the Imperial State Crown for his 1902 coronation
- King George V in Coronation Robes.jpg
George V wearing the pre-1937 crown in 1911 in his coronation portrait
- London , Tower Hamlets - Tower of London, Crown - geograph.org.uk - 2062874.jpg
The emptied frame of Queen Victoria's Imperial State Crown
- His Majesty King George VI of United Kingdom (cropped).jpg
George VI in the 1937 Imperial State Crown
- Queen Elizabeth II on her Coronation Day (close crop).jpg
Elizabeth II wearing the Imperial State Crown which was reduced in height for her coronation in 1953
- Elizabeth II waves from the palace balcony after the Coronation, 1953 (cropped).jpg
Elizabeth II wearing the Imperial State Crown from the balcony of Buckingham Palace, 1953
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Royal Household (2008). "The Crown Jewels: Gallery". The Official Website of the British Monarchy. Retrieved 1 June 2012.