Queen Elizabeth II, the late monarch of the United Kingdom, had one of the most impressive jewellery collections in the world. Spanning over seven decades, her collection consisted of some of the most exquisite and valuable pieces of jewellery, including diamonds, pearls, and precious stones. Let’s try to explore the history and significance of Queen Elizabeth II’s jewellery collection.
The Queen’s collection was vast, comprising over 300 pieces of jewellery. Many of these pieces had been passed down from previous monarchs, while others were gifts from foreign dignitaries, heads of state, and members of the royal family. Some of the most notable pieces in the collection include the Queen’s coronation crown, the Cullinan III and IV brooch, and the Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara.

One of the most significant pieces in the Queen’s collection was the coronation crown. The crown was made for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 and is set with 2,868 diamonds, including the 317-carat Cullinan II diamond. The crown is a symbol of the Queen’s authority and power and is only worn during the coronation ceremony.

Another important piece in the Queen’s collection was the Cullinan III and IV brooch. The brooch is made up of two of the largest diamonds ever found, the 94.4-carat Cullinan III and the 63.6-carat Cullinan IV. The diamonds were originally part of the Cullinan diamond, the largest diamond ever discovered, which was presented to King Edward VII in 1907. The brooch was often worn by the Queen during state occasions and was one of her most treasured pieces of jewellery.

The Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara was another iconic piece in the Queen’s collection. The tiara was made in 1914 for Queen Mary, the grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II, and features 19 diamond arches topped with pearls. The tiara was a favorite of Princess Diana, who wore it on many occasions, and is now worn by the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton.

Other notable pieces in the Queen’s collection included the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara, which was a wedding gift from Queen Mary in 1947, and the Diamond Diadem, which was often worn by the Queen during the State Opening of Parliament. The collection also included numerous necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, many of which are set with precious stones.

The Queen’s jewellery collection was not only significant for its beauty and value but also for its historical and cultural significance. Many of the pieces in the collection had been passed down through generations of monarchs and have played important roles in the history of the British monarchy. The collection also included pieces that had been gifted to the Queen from foreign heads of state, representing the relationships and diplomacy between nations.

In addition to its historical and cultural significance, the Queen’s jewellery collection was also a symbol of her role as monarch. The collection represents the power and authority of the British monarchy and was often worn by the Queen during important state occasions and ceremonies. The jewellery served as a visual representation of the Queen’s position and the rich history of the British monarchy.