The Crowns Britain's Queens Couldn't Keep Alternative
DIAMONDS KINGS FOUGHT OVER. CROWNS QUEENS NEVER TRULY OWNED. AND THE KOH-I-NOOR — THE FAMOUS GEM THAT WAS MISSING FROM THE 2023 CORONATION.
In 1685, Mary of Modena, wife of King James II, was crowned wearing diamonds worth £35,000. But not a single one belonged to her. The jewels had been hired for just one day — and returned as soon as the ceremony was over. This was the beginning of a fascinating eight-century history of British royal crowns, precious stones, political intrigue and royal treasures that were constantly dismantled, altered and passed from one queen to another.
From the crown placed on Anne Boleyn's head to the magnificent jewels of Queen Charlotte, from Queen Adelaide's diamond crown to the legendary crown of Queen Mary of Teck, every piece tells a story of power, ambition, inheritance and loss.
IN THIS VIDEO, WE EXPLORE THE STORIES BEHIND THE MOST FAMOUS BRITISH ROYAL CROWNS AND JEWELS:
• Mary of Modena — crowns decorated with hired diamonds, including a coronation crown featuring 419 diamonds, 46 large pearls, 7 rubies, 7 sapphires and 2 emeralds.
• Anne Boleyn — the extraordinary coronation in 1533, when she was crowned with St Edward's Crown, later destroyed during the abolition of the monarchy in 1649.
• Mary II and Queen Anne — the remarkable story of crowns reused by different queens, including jewels belonging to a queen they had helped drive into exile.
• Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz — a spectacular royal jewellery collection worth £50,000.
• Queen Adelaide — a diamond crown whose precious stones were removed after the coronation, leaving behind an empty gold frame.
• Queen Victoria — the Imperial State Crown, the Black Prince's Ruby and the famous Stuart Sapphire.
• The Koh-i-Noor Diamond — the legendary 105.6-carat diamond, originally weighing approximately 186 carats before being recut. Its story involves Maharaja Duleep Singh, Queen Victoria and the British Royal Family.
• Queen Alexandra of Denmark — a spectacular crown featuring more than 3,000 diamonds, with the Koh-i-Noor set in its front cross.
• Queen Mary of Teck — her 1911 crown, featuring 2,200 diamonds, the Koh-i-Noor, Cullinan III (94 carats) and Cullinan IV (63 carats).
• Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother — the platinum crown set with approximately 2,800 diamonds, in which the Koh-i-Noor remained from 1937 onwards.
• Queen Elizabeth II — the 1953 coronation, the Imperial State Crown, the Coronation Necklace and magnificent diamond earrings.
• Queen Camilla — the historic coronation of 6 May 2023, Queen Mary's Crown, the return of Cullinan III and IV, and the addition of the heart-shaped Cullinan V.
THE LEGENDARY DIAMONDS AND GEMSTONES FEATURED IN THIS STORY:
— Koh-i-Noor — 105.6 carats after recutting.
— Cullinan III — 94 carats.
— Cullinan IV — 63 carats.
— Cullinan V — a magnificent heart-shaped diamond.
— The Lahore Diamond — 22.48 carats, set at the centre of the Coronation Necklace.
— The Black Prince's Ruby — one of the most famous jewels in the British Crown Jewels collection.
— The Stuart Sapphire — a historic royal gemstone.
— Rubies, emeralds, pearls and thousands of diamonds that adorned the crowns and regalia of Britain's queens.
But one mystery remains.
Why was the Koh-i-Noor absent from Queen Camilla's crown at the 2023 coronation? Why wasn't even a replica used? Where was the legendary diamond that day, and what made the Royal Family leave it out?
The answer reveals one of the most fascinating and controversial chapters in the history of Britain's royal jewels.
Watch until the end to discover how the crowns of Britain's queens changed over eight centuries — and why some of the world's most magnificent royal jewels were never truly theirs to keep.
Which royal crown impressed you the most? And do you think the Koh-i-Noor should ever return to a British royal crown?
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