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COLLECTION STORY

The Crown Jewels

The Crown Jewels are the most complete collection of royal regalia in the world

Assorted regalia from the Crown Jewels

The Crown Jewels are the most famous of the nation's treasures. Kept under the watchful eye of the Yeoman Warders at the Tower of London, they constitute the most complete collection of royal regalia in the world.  Their long history, spanning almost a thousand years, and their continued ceremonial use in the Coronation Service and at the State Opening of Parliament make them one of the richest expressions of sovereign magnificence.

The Crown Jewels are made up of a host of extraordinary items – from orbs, sceptres and crowns, to gold and silver-gilt banqueting and altar plate. All are intimately connected with the status and role of the monarch. The oldest of these is the twelfth-century spoon used for the sovereign's ritual anointing at the coronation.

Most of the remarkable pieces were made for Charles II's coronation in 1661, and later added to at definitive moments during the history of the monarchy.  Fashioned from precious materials, they incorporate some of the world's most famous gemstones, including the Koh-i-nûr and Cullinan diamonds.  

Click on a section below to find out more.

The regalia of Charles II, including a crown, orb and sceptre
The regalia of Charles II

The regalia made for Charles II in 1660 is the central part of today's Crown Jewels

The crown is composed of a solid gold frame, set with tourmalines, white and yellow topazes, rubies, amethysts, sapphires, garnet, peridot, zircons, spinel, and aquamarines, step-cut and rose-cut and mounted in enamelled gold collets, and with a velvet ca
St Edward's Crown

The crown used at the moment of Coronation

Ceremonial plate from the Crown Jewels, chalices and cups in gold plate
Banqueting and church plate

Stored at the Jewel House, the plate is considered part of the Crown Jewels

Queen Alexandra, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary's crowns
Regalia for Queens, Consorts & Emperors

Additions to the Crown Jewels have been made since the Restoration

Photograph of the nine complete diamonds cleft from the Cullinan Diamond.
Cullinan I and II, the two largest cut diamonds, were reserved for King Edward and in 1909 they were temporarily mounted as a somewhat oversized pendant brooch. After Edward VII's
The Cullinan Diamond

Stones cut from the largest diamond ever found have been included in the Crown Jewels


The income from your ticket contributes directly to The Royal Collection Trust, a registered charity. The aims of The Royal Collection Trust are the care and conservation of the Royal Collection, and the promotion of access and enjoyment through exhibitions, publications, loans and educational activities.