Earlier this week, Buckingham Palace announced the date on which the new sovereign will be crowned and anointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The ceremony will take place at Westminster Abbey on 6th May 2023 – eight months after the monarch’s accession and the death of the Queen.
Camilla will be crowned Queen Consort at the same ceremony, before taking her place on a throne next to her husband. Though there’s a great deal of controversy surrounding the crown that she was expected to wear.
Fine jewellery experts at UK retailer Steven Stone have taken a close look at the crown, revealing everything you need to know.
The infamous crown was made especially for the Queen Mother’s 1937 coronation and features the controversial Koh-i-noor diamond, which was seized by the East India Company and given to Queen Victoria in the 19th century. Critics say its appearance at the coronation would provide an unwelcome reminder of the British Empire.
Palace officials are understood to be reviewing whether Camilla should wear the jewel – which has been worn by consorts including Queen Alexandra and Queen Mary – when she’s crowned alongside King Charles III at Westminster Abbey in May 2023.
Worth $1 billion (£836 million), the crown features 2203 brilliant-cut and 662 rose-cut diamonds – known for their sparkle, brilliant cut diamonds are fairly common, whereas rose cut diamonds are much rarer – sitting closer to the skin than their taller counterparts, rose cut diamonds allow light to move through the stone, resulting in a more transparent glow and subtle shine. The 105.6 carat Koh-i-noor diamond sits in the front cross-pattee in a detachable platinum mount and is said to be worth $591 million (£494 million) alone.
The King and Queen Consort may opt to use the crown with the diamond removed, or use a different, simpler option from the Royal Collection.
“It’s incredibly difficult to put a price on a historical piece like this – though with the Koh-i-noor diamond said to be worth $591 million (£494 million) alone, the crown is likely to be worth a staggering $1 billion (£836 million).
Boasting 2203 brilliant cut and 662 rose cut diamonds, the crown is a particularly delicate piece. Known for their sparkle, brilliant diamond diamonds are fairly common, whereas rose cut diamonds are much rarer – sitting closer to the skin than their taller counterparts, rose cut diamonds allow light to move through the stone, resulting in a more transparent glow and subtle shine.
With a wealth of controversy surrounding the diamond, it’d be surprising to see it used in the coronation ceremony. The Royal Collection is full of magnificent jewels, so it’s likely that the King and Queen consort will remove the diamond and replace it with a different gem.”
maxwell stone, creative director, steven stone
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