Crown of Queen Mary

Queen Mary wearing her crown without its arches

The Crown of Queen Mary was the consort crown of Queen Mary, wife of George V. It was made for the coronation of George and Mary in 1911.

Mary bought the Art Deco-inspired crown from Garrard & Co. herself, and hoped that it would be worn by future queens consort. It is unusual for a British crown due to having eight half-arches instead of the traditional two arches.[1] It is 25 cm (9.8 in) tall and weighs 590 g (1.30 lb).[2]

The silver-gilt crown has around 2,200 rose-cut and brilliant-cut diamonds,[2] and originally contained the 105.6-carat (21.12 g) Koh-i-Noor diamond, as well as the 94.4-carat (18.88 g) Cullinan III and 63.6-carat (12.72 g) Cullinan IV. In 1914, they were all replaced with crystal models, and the arches were made detachable so that it could be worn as a circlet or open crown.[3] Mary wore it like this after George V died in 1936.[4]

Since Queen Mary died in 1953, the crown has not been worn. It is on display with the other Crown Jewels at the Tower of London.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Keay, Anna (2011). The Crown Jewels. Thames & Hudson. p. 175. ISBN 978-0-500-51575-4.
  2. 1 2 "Queen Mary's Crown". Royal Collection Trust. Inventory no. 31704.
  3. ↑ Mears, Kenneth J.; Thurley, Simon; Murphy, Claire (1994). The Crown Jewels. Historic Royal Palaces. p. 27. ASIN B000HHY1ZQ.
  4. ↑ Twining, Edward Francis (1960). A History of the Crown Jewels of Europe. B. T. Batsford. p. 167. ASIN B00283LZA6.
  • "Queen Mary's Crown". Royal Collection Trust. Inventory no. 31704.
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