As Christmas is approaching, Buckingham Palace have shared King Charles and Queen Camilla’s 2023 Christmas card.
The card features a photograph of the royal couple that was taken in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace following the King’s coronation on 6th May, this year.
The British royal family own an abundance of jewels, so it comes as no surprise that the photograph highlights an array of remarkable jewels that adorned the royal couple during the historic event.
Fine jewellery experts at Steven Stone have revealed everything you need to know about the jewels – from their origin to their staggering value.
Imperial State Crown
Value: £2.5 billion
Fitted with a purple velvet cap and an ermine band, the Imperial State Crown was commissioned for the coronation of King George VI in 1937, but is similar to a headpiece created for Queen Victoria in 1838.
Though renowned for being worn by the monarch as they leave Westminster Abbey after their coronation, it is also used on other State occasions including the annual State Opening of Parliament.
The gold, silver and platinum crown is decorated with 2,868 diamonds, 269 pearls, 17 sapphires and 11 emeralds. It weighs 1,060 grams and is 31.5 centimetres tall.
Our diamond expert, Maxwell Stone, commented: “When King Charles III left his coronation, he was wearing the Imperial State Crown, which was last worn by Queen Elizabeth II.The spectacular piece is adorned with stones that bear great historical significance.
The gold, silver and platinum crown is decorated with 2868 diamonds, 269 pearls, 17 sapphires and 11 emeralds. The second largest stone cut from the Cullinan Diamond adorns the front, with an amethyst stone sat above it, surmounted by a cross pattee encrusted with emerald and diamonds.
Adding to the crowns historic value, it also contains St Edward’s Sapphire – dating back to 1066, it’s said to have been sourced from the ring of King Edward the Confessor.
It’s incredibly difficult to put a price on a magnificent piece like this that’s laced with history – I’d estimate it to be worth around £2.5 billion.”
King Charles’ Signet Ring
Value: £4,000 ($5,000)
One royal piece that goes under the radar is King Charles III’s pinky ring, which he’s been photographed wearing since the mid 1970s – and though it isn’t in view on the photo that’s featured on the Christmas card, King Charles did wear it on his Coronation day.
Engraved with the symbol of the Prince of Wales, the signet ring serves as a reminder that although he was born to be King, Charles spent 64 years of his life as the Prince of Wales.
The meaning of signet rings are associated with a symbolic family heritage. Initially being created and used to mark documents, the face of the ring typically bearing a family crest, would be pressed into hot wax.
Last worn by his uncle, Prince Edward, the Duke of Windsor, who was the Prince of Wales before he ascended the throne, the ring dates back 175 years.
Our diamond expert, Maxwell Stone, commented: “The meaning of signet rings are associated with a symbolic family heritage. Initially being created and used to mark documents, the face of the ring typically bearing a family crest, would be pressed into hot wax.
It is widely known that King Charles has owned and worn this same signet ring since the 1970’s, the bezel distinctly engraved with the crest of the Prince of Wales. This signet ring is likely to be made with Welsh gold, a royal tradition, carrying a weight of approximately 20g. Nowadays, signet rings are commonly worn as heirlooms, having been passed down through generations.
A signet ring like the King’s is likely to retail at approximately £4,000.”
Queen Mary’s Crown
Value: £400 million ($502 million)
Queen Camilla chose to wear Queen Mary’s Crown – which was made for King George V’s consort for the 1911 coronation – for the coronation.
Queen Mary’s Crown is one of the most iconic pieces of regalia in the British monarchy, known for its intricate design and the precious gems that adorned it.
Inspired by the historic British Crown Jewels, the crown was designed by the Crown Jeweller, Garrard & Co and worn by Queen Mary to the coronation of King George V in 1911.
The crown reportedly took over 8000 hours and cost £50,000 to make. Composed of a silver frame, lined with gold, it’s set with a whopping 2,200 diamonds – mostly brilliant-cut, with some rose-cut.
Our diamond expert, Maxwell Stone, commented: “Queen Camilla was crowned with Queen Mary’s Crown, which was commissioned by Queen Mary for King George V’s 1911 coronation. Though the royal made some changes, with the biggest being the exclusion of the infamous Koh-i-Noor diamond, which is worth £494 million alone.
A particularly heartwarming change that Queen Camilla made was the incorporation of some of the diamonds from Queen Elizabeth II’s personal jewellery collection into the crown – all of which are cut from the showstopping Cullinan diamond.
It’s incredibly difficult to put a price on a historic piece like St Mary’s Crown. Taking into account the removal of the Koh-i-Noor diamond and the addition of the three Cullinan diamonds – which boast a total value of £52 million – the crown is likely to be worth around £400 million.”
Coronation Necklace:
Value: £72,000 ($90,000)
Queen Camilla donned a necklace at the Coronation that was previously worn by Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Mary and Queen Alexandra.
Known as “the Coronation Necklace”, it was originally created for Queen Victoria in 1858 and is made of a total of 26 diamonds – including a giant 22.48-carat pendant called the Lahore diamond.
Our experts estimate the necklace to carry a value of £72,000 ($90,000).
Queen Camilla’s Engagement Ring
Value: £212,000 ($266,000)
Though it isn’t in view on the photo used for the royal couple’s Christmas Card, Camilla wore her engagement ring to the Coronation – an item that she’s rarely seen without.
When the Prince of Wales proposed to Camilla in 2005, he chose a ring with a special connection to the royal family. He picked a five-carat emerald-cut diamond surrounded by three diamond baguettes given to the Queen Mother in 1929. It was passed on from one generation to the Queen Mother, who was first seen wearing it in the 1980’s after receiving it from King George VI.
Our diamond expert, Maxwell Stone commented: “Camilla’s engagement ring is one of the most extensive and expensive in the Royal Family. Featuring a 5 carat emerald cut diamond, surrounded by three diamond baguettes, I’d estimate its value to be around £212,000.
The ring also possesses a great amount of sentiment – though it wasn’t her engagement ring, the Queen Mother was seen wearing it in the 1980s. It’s believed to have been gifted to her by King George VI.”
Queen Camilla’s Earrings
Value: £796,000 ($1 million)
When the Coronation necklace was created, so was a matching pair of earrings.
As Queen Camilla doesn’t have her ears pierced, she couldn’t wear them. Instead, she wore a pair of earrings from her own collection.
Featuring large round brilliant diamonds that appear to be 6ct each, in a gold setting, our experts estimate them to be worth £790,000.
“Buckingham Palace has unveiled this year’s Christmas card, showcasing a photograph of King Charles and Queen Camilla in the throne room following the King’s coronation in May – and it highlights an array of remarkable jewels that adorned the royal couple during the historic event.
King Charles is wearing the Imperial State Crown – boasting 2868 diamonds, 269 pearls, 17 sapphires, and 11 emeralds, the historically rich piece is worth a staggering £2.5 billion. Though it isn’t in view in the photo, we can safely assume that King Charles is also wearing the signet ring that he was wearing during his coronation. Engraved with the symbol of the Prince of Wales, the gold ring dates back 175 years and is likely to carry a value of around £4,000.
Queen Camilla is wearing Queen Mary’s Crown – known for its intricate design and the precious gems that adorn it, it’s one of the most iconic pieces of regalia in the British monarch and worth £400 million. Camilla was also sporting a necklace that was worn by Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Mary and Queen Alexandra at previous coronations – made of 26 diamonds, it’s likely to be worth around £72,000 and has a matching pair of earrings, though Camilla doesn’t have her ears pierced so was unable to wear them. Instead, she wore a pair that boast 6ct round brilliant diamonds in a gold setting – I’d estimate the substantial pair to be worth approximately £796,000.
Of course, we can’t forget Queen Camilla’s engagement ring, which is one of the most extensive and expensive rings in the Royal Family. Featuring a 5 carat emerald cut diamond, surrounded by three diamond baguettes, I’d estimate its value to be around £212,000.
After analysing each piece, I can confirm that the jewels that the royal couple are wearing on the card totals over £2.9 billion.”
maxwell stone, leading diamond expert, steven stone
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