For months now, Buckingham Palace has released a steady drip of news about King Charles’s coronation in May. We’ve gotten news on the new gold carriage, the new thrones, the music, the bank holiday and so much more. But for months, there’s been a long-simmering controversy about what crown Queen Consort Camilla will wear. The original plan/scheme was to possibly have Camilla wear the traditional “Mary Teck” queen-consort crown worn by Charles’s grandmother, the last queen consort. The problem with that is the traditional queen-consort crown includes the Koh-i-Noor, a diamond stolen from India, a diamond which India wants back in no uncertain terms. Narendra Modi’s government has already made it clear that they will have a huge problem if Camilla trots out wearing the Koh-i-noor. So… other crown plans have been quietly debated for months. The solution has just been announced, weirdly at the same time Camilla is canceling events because of another Covid infection.
Camilla’s crown for her Coronation on May 6 has been revealed. The Queen Consort, 75, will wear the Crown of Queen Mary which was today removed from the Tower of London. It’s been revealed she will wear the consort crown made for Mary of Teck in 1911. It was placed on the Queen Mother’s coffin during her 2002 funeral and has since sat on public display in the Tower of London.
The choice of Queen Mary’s Crown by Her Majesty is the first time in recent history that an existing crown will be used for the Coronation of a Consort instead of a new commission being made. Some minor changes and additions will be undertaken by the Crown Jeweller.
These changes will in particular pay tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, as the Crown will be reset with the Cullinan III, IV and V diamonds. The diamonds were part of Queen Elizabeth II’s personal jewellery collection for many years and were often worn by Her late Majesty as brooches.
The crown is expected to include a replica of the controversial Koh-i-Noor diamond. The diamond has been at the centre of a 700-year political and legal wrangle over its ownership. Some in India and Pakistan believe the gemstone, which was discovered in the 14th century, was stolen by the British Empire and are demanding its return.
Love the way India’s ownership of the Koh-i-Noor is filtered through the British media. “Some in India and Pakistan believe the gemstone, which was discovered in the 14th century, was stolen by the British Empire.” Where was it discovered? The Sun doesn’t say! And only “some people,” huh? So… Camilla WILL wear the traditional queen consort’s crown, the Mary Teck crown worn by queen consorts in the 20th century. But the Koh-i-Noor will be removed and replaced with a “replica,” plus QEII’s Cullinan diamonds will be set in the updated crown? Basically, instead of dealing with the Koh-i-Noor drama head-on and actually having a debate about whether the diamond should be returned, the Windsors are just going to hide the Koh-i-Noor and pretend that it doesn’t exist? (How much do you want to bet that the “replica” will just end up being the actual Koh-i-noor?)
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images, Getty.
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- The Duchess of Cornwall, Patron of Jamie’s Farm, leaves after a visit to the residential farm in the Wye Valley, Monmouthshire. Picture date: Wednesday July 6, 2022.,Image: 705501579, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon [email protected] London 44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles 1 310 822 0419 Berlin 49 30 76 212 251 Madrid 34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
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- LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 12: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall during The Oldie Luncheon, in celebration of her 75th Birthday at National Liberal Club on July 12, 2022 in London, England.,Image: 706844548, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Chris Jackson / Avalon
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- ST. AUSTELL, CORNWALL – JULY 19: Dame Esther Rantzen, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Founder of Silver Stories, Elisabeth Carney Haworth during a visit to Charlestown School on July 19, 2022 in St. Austell, Cornwall. The Duchess of Cornwall is patron of Silver Stories, a charity that arranges for children to read over the phone to older members of the community who may be isolated or vulnerable. The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall are on a 3-day visit to the southwestern region to celebrate the Prince of Wales’ 70th year as the Duke of Cornwall.,Image: 708302952, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Chris Jackson / Avalon
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- LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 22: Camilla, Queen Consort during the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace on November 22, 2022 in London, England. This is the first state visit hosted by the UK with King Charles III as monarch, and the first state visit here by a South African leader since 2010.,Image: 739545057, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon [email protected] London 44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles 1 310 822 0419 Berlin 49 30 76 212 251 Madrid 34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
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- LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 22: (L-R) King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort during the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace on November 22, 2022 in London, England. This is the first state visit hosted by the UK with King Charles III as monarch, and the first state visit here by a South African leader since 2010.,Image: 739545375, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon [email protected] London 44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles 1 310 822 0419 Berlin 49 30 76 212 251 Madrid 34 91 533 42 89, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
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Camilla Duchess of Cornwall at The Oldie Luncheon, in celebration of her 75th Birthday at National Liberal Club.
Featuring: Camilla Duchess of Cornwall
Where: London, England, United Kingdom
When: 12 Jul 2022
Credit: Chris Jackson/PA Images/INSTARimages.com/Cover Images**North America Rights Only**
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Diplomatic Corps Reception At Buckingham Palace
Featuring: Camilla Queen Consort
Where: London, England, United Kingdom
When: 06 Dec 2022
Credit: Victoria Jones/PA Images/INSTARimages.com/Cover Images**North America Rights Only**
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Royals Attend Christmas Day Service At St Mary Magdalene Church In Sandringham
Featuring: Camilla Queen Consort
Where: Norfolk, England, United Kingdom
When: 25 Dec 2022
Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages.com/Cover Images**North America Rights Only**
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Royals Attend Christmas Day Service At St Mary Magdalene Church In Sandringham
Featuring: Camilla Queen Consort
Where: Norfolk, England, United Kingdom
When: 25 Dec 2022
Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages.com/Cover Images**North America Rights Only**
