The Story Behind The Late Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Diadem Crown

The Diamond Diadem has graced the head of every reigning Queen and wife of a King since it was first designed for the coronation of George IV in 1821, by Rundell, Bridge and Rundell. The late Queen Elizabeth II wore the crown, which is ornamented with four crosses and four sprays representing the national floral emblems of England, Ireland and Scotland, for the procession to her own coronation in 1953. Also embellished with 169 natural pearls and set with more than a thousand diamonds – including a 4-carat pale yellow brilliant cut diamond at its centre – the Diamond Diadem is the crown that appeared on the monarch’s head on coins and stamps during her 70-year reign.

The Diamond Diadem also featured on two dual-covers of the April 2022 issue of British Vogue, in honour of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. One featured a portrait of Her Majesty wearing the crown, taken in 1957 by Antony Armstrong-Jones, Lord Snowden. On the other, Anya Taylor-Joy wore a dazzling replica crafted by Replica Crown Jewels, paired with a backless lamé muslin Dior Haute Couture gown. Most recently, the Diamond Diadem has been worn by Queen Camilla for the State Opening of Parliament in May of this year.

The crown is one of 300 pieces of spectacular royal jewellery set to go on display next summer as part of a landmark exhibition celebrating 500 years of gems steeped in history. Royal Jewellery: From Coronations to Keepsakes, co-curated by Caroline de Guitaut and Kathryn Jones, will open at the King’s Gallery in Buckingham Palace in June 2027. The expansive collection – two thirds of which has never previously been on public display – contains within it an array of moving human stories, representing joy and grief, politics and power, and ultimately, life and death. Designs worn by Henry VIII, Charles II and Queen Victoria will be among the pieces unveiled to the public.

Queen Victoria’s Small Diamond Crown, crafted by Garrard & Co in 1870, which was so closely associated with her it was placed on her coffin when she laid in state, will be part of the exhibition. More unusual, sentimental exhibits include a bracelet from 1841 set with pebbles that the Queen and Prince Albert acquired on their first journey alone together as newlyweds. Plus, a floral brooch from 1847, ornamented with the first milk tooth of the couple’s eldest child, Victoria, Princess Royal.

Among the other fascinating pieces? An articulated serpent bracelet set with diamonds and black pearl, circa 1870, owned by Queen Alexandra; a Fabergé aquamarine and diamond pendant from 1909 that was given to Queen Mary by her husband King George V and later bequeathed to her granddaughter, the future Queen Elizabeth II; and a pair of cufflinks from 1640 believed to have to been worn by Charles I on the scaffold where he was executed.

On the day of his coronation, George IV’s Diamond Diadem was barely visible to the public, as the Prince Regent teamed it with an enormous ostrich-feathered velvet hat. Luckily, at Royal Jewellery: From Coronations to Keepsakes, it’s splendour – along with that of 300 other royal jewels – will be on full view.

Royal Jewellery: From Coronations to Keepsakes will be on view at The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, London, from June 2027.