CROWN

The design of the elegant platinum crown made for Queen Elizabeth, consort of George VI, in 1937, was heavily influenced by that made for her mother-in-law, Queen Mary, in 1911. In fact, Queen Mary's Crown was actually taken to Garrard's in 1937 with 'the purpose of preparing designs for a new Crown for the Queen'.

The Crown is based on a circlet worn by Queen Victoria, and was worn by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother at her coronation in 1937. The band is encrusted with diamonds, and set on it are four alternate crosses-pattée and fleur-de-lis; the Koh-i-Noor diamond is set in the front cross-pattée, like Queen Mary's Crown.

From each cross-patté rises a tapering jewelled half arch; on the intersection is set the monde carrying a cross-pattée in the centre of which is set a large diamond. The arches are detachable, and the whole is heavily set with diamonds. The frame is of platinum. The Cap of Estate is of purple velvet turned up with minever.

The Koh-i-Noor diamond remains on the crown today, as does the 17-carat diamond given to Queen Victoria in 1856 by the Sultan of Turkey, which is set below the Koh-i-Noor at the front of the band. Both the arches of the crown, and the Koh-i-Noor and its mount, are detachable.  It contains 2,800 diamonds.

The Koh-i-Noor has a long and bloodthirsty history since it was first recorded in 1304 as the property of the Sultan Allah ed Din. Reputedly it brings ill-luck to a man but good fortune to a woman. Presented to Queen Victoria by the East India Company, the stone has been worn by her and by Queen Alexandra and Queen Mary.

As Queen Mary had done, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother wore the crown without arches at the coronation of her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1953.