Crown of Queen Mary

KingGeorgeV QueenMary Coronation1911

1914 Queen Mary Autochrome

Camilla (52877352018) (cropped)

The Crown of Queen Mary is a consort crown made for Mary of Teck, the wife of King George V, in 1911. It was created for the coronation of George V and Queen Mary, which took place on 22 June 1911 at Westminster Abbey.

Design and Features[edit | edit source]

The Crown of Queen Mary is notable for its unique design and historical significance. Unlike other consort crowns, it features eight half-arches, which are detachable, allowing the crown to be worn as an open circlet. The crown is set with 2,200 diamonds, including the famous Koh-i-Noor diamond, which was later replaced with a replica. The original Koh-i-Noor diamond is now part of the Crown of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

Historical Significance[edit | edit source]

The crown was commissioned specifically for Queen Mary and was designed to complement the Imperial State Crown worn by King George V. It symbolizes the continuity and tradition of the British monarchy. Queen Mary was known for her keen interest in jewelry and royal regalia, and her crown reflects her personal taste and the opulence of the early 20th century.

Usage[edit | edit source]

After the coronation of George V, the Crown of Queen Mary was worn by Queen Mary at various state occasions. It was also used by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother during the coronation of her husband, King George VI, in 1937. The crown has not been used in recent coronations but remains an important piece of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom.

Current Status[edit | edit source]

The Crown of Queen Mary is part of the permanent collection of the Crown Jewels, which are kept at the Tower of London. It is displayed alongside other significant pieces of royal regalia and is a popular attraction for visitors.