Last month, Buckingham Palace confirmed the details of Camilla’s coronation crown.
The Queen Consort will wear Queen Mary’s Crown, which was made for King George V’s consort for the 1911 coronation – though she’s making some changes, which includes incorporating some of Queen Elizabeth II’s diamonds.
Another major change is that the crown won’t include the Koh-I-Noor diamond, which left us wondering what will happen to the infamous diamond that’s usually part of the historic crown, and why it carries such controversy.
Leading Diamond Experts at Steven Stone have done some research, revealing everything you need to know about the diamond.
What is the Koh-I-Noor diamond?
Worth a staggering $591 million (£494 million), the Koh-I-Noor diamond is a 105.6 carat diamond that was worn as a brooch by Queen Victoria.
Traditionally worn by Queen Consorts, it was set in the crown of Queen Alexandra, the wife of Edward VII, and then in the crown of Queen Mary, the wife of George V.
It was later replaced by a replica in 1937 when the huge diamond was moved to the Queen Mother’s crown for her and King George VI’s coronation.
Plans to use the Koh-i-Noor diamond in Camilla’s crown were reconsidered amid fears of a row. India’s ruling party warned that the move would bring back painful memories of the colonial past.
The controversy of the Koh-I-Noor diamond
The first written record of the Koh-i-Noor diamond appears in 1628, during the Mughal Empire. The diamond was set into Mughal ruler Shah Jahan’s Peacock Throne, alongside the Timur Ruby.
It was later acquired by Persian ruler Nader Shah when he invaded Delhi in 1739 and looted the city of tonnes of treasure, which included the Peacock Throne.
The Koh-i-Noor diamond continued to be passed between various rulers in Central Asia and eventually ended up in the hands of Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh in 1813.
Following the annexation of the Punjab by the British Empire, Queen Victoria became the new owner of the gem in 1849.
What will happen to the Koh-I-Noor diamond?
According to a statement from the Historic Royal Palaces (HRP), the Koh-I-Noor diamond will be part of a new exhibition at the Tower of London that recognizes it as “a symbol of conquest.”
Due to open on 26th May, the display will explore the origins and history of the crown jewels – including the 105.6 carat diamond’s highly conflicted and colonial past and how it came to be included in the British crown jewels.
“Camilla has chosen to wear Queen Mary’s Crown at hers and the King’s coronation, which was commissioned by Queen Mary for King George V’s 1911 coronation – though she’s making some changes, which includes not featuring the Koh-I-Noor diamond.
The 105.6 carat diamond is usually sat in the front cross-pattee of the crown, in a detachable platinum mount and is said to be worth a staggering $591 million (£494 million).
According to a statement from the Historic Royal Palaces, the diamond will be part of an upcoming exhibition at the Tower of London that will explore the origins and history of the crown jewels.
In its absence, Camilla will be resetting the crown with some diamonds from Queen Elizabeth II’s personal jewellery collection.”
MAXWELL STONE, CREATIVE DIRECTOR, STEVEN STONE
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