photo credit, Royal Collection
Queen Mary’s crown.
- Author, By Sean Coughlan
- Role, royal correspondent
The controversial Koh-i-Noor diamond will not be used for the coronation, Buckingham Palace has said.
Instead, Camilla, Queen Consort, will be crowned with the Queen Mary crown, which was removed from the Tower of London to be resized for the May 6 coronation.
It is believed to be the first time in “contemporary history” crowns have been recycled for a coronation.
Diamonds from Queen Elizabeth II jewelery will also be added.
Camilla will be crowned with the King at Westminster Abbey,
photo credit, Getty’s image
The Queen Mother’s crown, featuring the Koh-i-Noor diamond in the center cross.
The ownership of the Koh-i-Noor, one of the world’s largest cut diamonds, is disputed and there are fears of a diplomatic row with India if the diamond is used.
India has repeatedly claimed legal ownership of the diamond, which was used in the Queen Mother’s coronation.
Buckingham Palace said Camilla would be crowned with Queen Mary’s crown and said its reuse was in the “interest of sustainability and profit”.
Camilla, queen consort, will be crowned with King Charles.
As a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, the crown will be recreated with diamonds from her private collection, the diamonds known as Cullinan III, IV and V.
This diamond, worn as a brooch by the late queen, comes from the Cullinan diamond, found in South Africa.
King Charles III will wear the Saint Edward’s Crown, which is considered the centerpiece of the Crown Jewels. Once again on display in the Tower of London after being modified to fit the king.
It was first made for King Charles II in 1661, replacing an earlier crown which had been destroyed by the English Civil War.
The now deceased Queen Elizabeth II also wore the St Edward’s Crown at her coronation, but other monarchs throughout history have opted for smaller or custom-made crowns.
The following is the long weekend coronation program:
Saturday 6 May: the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey; coronation chariot processions; appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
Sunday May 7: Concert and light show at Windsor Castle; Coordination of coronation lunches, street parties.
Monday, May 8: Additional holidays; people to engage in voluntary activities.
photo credit, Reuters / His Royal Highness King Charles III
The King will wear the Saint Edward’s Crown, which is considered the centerpiece of the Crown Jewels collection.
Controversial
Although not the largest diamond in the world, the history of the Koh-i-Noor makes it one of the most controversial.
Theories and myths about the origin of the stone have differed over the years, but historians agree that it was taken from India by Nader Shah, an Iranian ruler, in 1739.
During pillaging and conquest, it changed hands several times before being handed over to the British Governor-General in 1849, following the annexation of Punjab.
The circumstances under which it was handed over to the East India Company – which had conquered most of the Indian subcontinent – by a defeated viceroy are disputed.
They say it was a ‘gift’, but Anita Anand, BBC journalist and co-author of a book on Koh-i-Noor, said: ‘I don’t see many other examples like it: I didn’t know about many ‘gifts’ given at bayonets point.
Prince Albert recreated it in the 1850s to add extra shine and included it in a brooch for Queen Victoria. It was then incorporated into the Crown Jewels.
Some residents of Pakistan and Afghanistan also claim legal ownership of the diamonds.
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