Britain’s Queen Consort Camilla chooses crown with out Kohinoor for coronation in May

Camilla’s alternative of the Queen Mary Crown for coronation means it might solely have a duplicate of one of many world’s largest reduce diamonds, as the unique now adorns the crown of Queen Elizabeth II’s mom – Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

Britain’s Queen Consort, Camilla, has chosen a crown with out the controversial colonial-era Kohinoor diamond for her coronation ceremony. (File Photo)

By Press Trust of India: Britain’s Queen Consort, Camilla, has chosen a crown with out the controversial colonial-era Kohinoor diamond for her coronation ceremony along with her husband King Charles III at Westminster Abbey in May, Buckingham Palace stated on Tuesday.

Camilla’s alternative of the Queen Mary Crown for coronation means it might solely have a duplicate of one of many world’s largest reduce diamonds, as the unique now adorns the crown of Queen Elizabeth II’s mom – Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

The palace stated the Queen Mary Crown was faraway from show on the Tower of London to be repurposed for the ceremony on May 6 with jewels paying tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

While the present model of Queen Mary’s crown has a entrance cross set with a removable rock crystal reproduction of the Kohinoor diamond, it isn’t identified but if that may be retained after the modifications are made for the coronation.

“The choice of Queen Mary’s Crown by Her Majesty is the first time in recent history that an existing crown will be used for the Coronation of a Consort instead of a new commission being made, in the interests of sustainability and efficiency,” Buckingham Palace stated.

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There had been hypothesis over the crown to be chosen by Camilla, with studies suggesting that the one worn by Charles’ grandmother, the Queen Mother, which bears the Kohinoor was a probable alternative.

However, it’s believed that diplomatic sensitivity might have been thought of within the closing alternative, although the Queen Mary Crown additionally has a historical past of as soon as being adorned with the controversial diamond.

Kohinoor, which implies mountain of sunshine in Persian, got here into Queen Victoria’s possession from the treasury of Maharaja Ranjit Singh a couple of years earlier than she was to be topped Empress of India, and has performed a starring position in British coronations of the previous.

“Some minor changes and additions will be undertaken by the Crown Jeweller, in keeping with the longstanding tradition that the insertion of jewels is unique to the occasion, and reflects the Consort’s individual style. These changes will in particular pay tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, as the crown will be reset with the Cullinan III, IV and V diamonds,” the palace stated.

The Cullinan diamonds have been a part of Queen Elizabeth II’s private jewelry assortment for a few years and have been typically worn as brooches by the late monarch, who handed away aged 96 in September final 12 months.

The diamonds have been set into Queen Mary’s Crown on earlier events as nicely when Cullinan III and IV have been set quickly within the crown for the 1911 Coronation, and the Cullinan V was inserted when the crown was worn as a regal circlet at King George VI’s coronation in 1937, the palace stated.

In addition, 4 of the Queen Mary Crown’s eight removable arches can be eliminated to create a “different impression” to when it was worn by Queen Mary on the 1911 coronation.

Meanwhile, the palace additionally confirmed that St. Edward’s Crown, which can be used for the Coronation of King Charles, has now returned to public show on the Tower of London, following the completion of its modification work for the grand Westminster Abbey ceremony.

Published On:

Feb 14, 2023