The Queen Consort Camilla will wear Queen Mary’s crown at King Charles’s coronation, without the controversial Koh-i-noor diamond over concerns it would serve as an unwelcome reminder of the British Empire.
The crown has been removed from display at the Tower of London for modification work ahead of the ceremony in May.
This is the first time in almost three centuries that an existing crown will be used for the coronation of a consort instead of a new commission being made.
Camilla, who has cancelled her engagements this week after testing positive for COVID, is said to have made the decision to wear the Crown of Queen Mary in the interests of sustainability and efficiency.
The crown was originally commissioned for the coronation of Mary of Teck as Queen Consort at the coronation of King George V, the present monarch’s great-grandfather, in 1911.
Some changes and additions will be made by the Crown Jeweller, in keeping with the tradition that jewels are inserted uniquely, especially for the occasion, and to reflect the wearer’s individual style.
She will pay tribute to the late Queen by replacing the Koh-i-noor gem with the Cullinan III, IV and V diamonds, which were often worn as brooches by the previous monarch.
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The Koh-i-noor gem was seized by the East India Company in Punjab, northern India, following its victory in the Second Anglo-Sikh War of 1849.
It was given to Queen Victoria and has been part of the Crown Jewels ever since, and is one of the largest cut diamonds in the world, weighing 105.6 carats (21.12 g).
The governing party of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi reportedly raised concerns that the famous diamond would provide an unwelcome reminder of the British Empire.
The diamond is now on public display in the Jewel House at the Tower of London. The governments of India, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and even the Taliban insurgency have all claimed ownership of the gem and have demanded its return ever since India gained independence from the British Empire in 1947.
In addition to the diamonds, four of the crown’s eight detachable arches will be removed, giving the headpiece a different silhouette from when it was worn by Queen Mary at the 1911 coronation.
Camilla chose to modify the existing crown, rather than commission a new one as is customary, to be more sustainable, Bucking Palace said.
St Edward’s Crown, which will be used for the coronation of the King, has returned to public display at the Tower of London now its modifications are complete.
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