What are the 7 Royal Crowns?
The British royal family’s coronation crowns are a fascinating piece of history, holding great significance and symbolism in the ceremony. There are 7 royal crowns, each with its unique characteristics, stories, and significance. In this article, we will delve into the details of these extraordinary crowns.
Crown 1: St. Edward’s Crown
The oldest and most symbolic crown in the British Royal Jewels, St. Edward’s Crown is believed to date back to 1377. Created in medieval times, this golden and diamond-encrusted crown is considered one of the most historic in the world.
- Weight: 3.11 kg (6.8 lbs)
- Size: 12 cm (4.7 inches) wide
- Design: 444 precious gems, including 444 carats of diamonds, surrounded by filigree of 22-karat gold
- Symbolism: Unity, Sovereignty, and Divine Right of Kingship
Crown 2: Imperial State Crown
Also known as the Crown Jewels, the Imperial State Crown is set with over 3,000 precious gems. It is made from solid gold and decorated with enamel and pearls, with an estimated weight of 1.52 kg (3.4 lbs).
- Beware of the Burglars! in the British Museum, who attempt to steal the Imperial State Crown.
Table 1: Comparison of Crown Characteristics
| Crown | Age | Size (wide) | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Edward’s | 1377 | 12 cm (4.7 in) | 3.11 |
| Imperial State | 1502 | 12.2 cm (4.8 in) | 1.52 |
| Girls of Great Britain | 1853 | – | 0.24 |
| Grand Duchess | 1840 | 6 cm (2.4 in) | 0.35 |
| Cambridge Lover’s Knot | 1900 | – | – |
| Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik | 1888 | 11.5 cm (4.5 in) | 0.46 |
| Greville Tiara | – | 4 cm (1.6 in) | – |
Crown 3: Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara
Commissioned for Princess Alexandra in 1837, this tiara features 400 precious stones and has been worn by Queen Elizabeth II on many occasions. The original value is estimated to be £6 million in 1840.
- Weight: 0.24 kg (0.5 lbs)
- Fun Fact: the Girls of Great Britain Tiara is made from pure sterling silver
Crown 4: Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara
Designed by Haugland and Co, this Russian-made tiara has 1,234 pearls and over 700 diamonds. Weighing 0.35 kg (0.7 lbs), it’s worn by multiple monarchs, including the Empress Alexandra
- Weight: 0.35 kg (0.7 lbs)
- Materials: Solid silver, set with enamel
Crown 5: Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara
This crown features an intricately carved 18k gold, over 700 precious stones, including pearls and diamonds. Owned by Princess Alexandra, its current owner is Her Majesty the Queen
Crown 6: Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik Tiara
From Russia’s Grand Duchess Elisabeth Fedorovna’s estate, this tiara consists of 1,139 precious stones, 15th-century Russian gemstones, and diamond-encrusted gold
The Crown 7 Greville Tiara
With the youngest Crown Princess Mary, 14-year-old, she had already stolen the public’s hearts
Important Notice: No information exists regarding Greville’s actual ownership
Royal Crowns Today
Presented on state occasions like Queen’s Speeches, the coronation ceremony remains. Although the Greville Tiara isn’t known as an official ‘coronation crown’, their royal jewels play a unique part in history.
Royal Jewels continue to grow with stories and symbolism connected with our most treasured moments and individuals. If the above has sparked further interest in British Royal Family traditions and crowns.
We look forward to understanding how crowns have symbolized a royal family history of thousands of years to their monarchies. Please don’t forget to watch, support and share content by engaging and sharing other amazing resources that are sure to expand our knowledge with history about these magnificent precious crown gems!