Imperial State Crown: What year is it from, what is it made of, who wore it, and how much is it worth?

On May 6, Carlos III will be officially crowned as the King of the United Kingdom. The successor to Queen Elizabeth II will be invested as the new head of state in the UK, in an event that hasn’t taken place since 1953, when his mother came to power. Westminster Abbey will be the stage for the event, so all eyes will be on this place.

There are many important and varied details to consider about this event, which has been marked in red in the UK and beyond for months. One of the most important is directly related to the crown that the new monarch will wear at the event. In this case, in addition to the Crown of St. Edward, Carlos III will also wear the Imperial State Crown.

1838, the year the crown was made

To learn about the origins of this crown, one of the most important in the world, one must go back to 1838. It should be noted that the Crown of St. Edward, another of the most commonly used, was too heavy, and Queen Victoria, the monarch at the time, wanted a lighter one.

Modifications continued to be made to the headpiece known as the Imperial State Crown. Jorge VI, Isabel II’s progenitor, decided to make his own innovations to it when he ascended the throne. In this case, and with the help of Garrard & Co jewelers, it was adapted to the monarch’s head and the ermine hair base was removed, as it was considered a symbol of femininity.

Strength in the crown’s name

The name chosen for the crown is a key part of its important stature, because it was intended to make it clear that England would not be subject to any other great power in the world. To this end, the design was conceived as a crown protected by several arches, a symbol of this message of firmness.

The height and weight of the Imperial State Crown

This is another of the most important points surrounding the crown that King Carlos III will wear. As stated earlier it was to be lighter than the Crown of St. Edward, and has been measured with a height of 31.5 centimeters, while its weight is 1.28 kilograms.

The crown jewels, one of its most recognizable elements

Likewise, another of the most important and relevant aspects of the Imperial State Crown are the jewels it is made of. There are said to be 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, 239 pearls, and 4 rubies across the intricate design.

The Black Prince’s Ruby, one of the most important jewels

One of the jewels of the crown is worth highlighting, giving its history, which is related to the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada. This is the Black Prince’s Ruby, which is located in the central part of the crown.

Via the Silk Road, it arrived in the Nasrid territory located in southern Spain at that time. In fact, this story is pointed out by El Independiente de Granada: “Today we know, from recent studies, that its most likely origin is in the mines of Myanmar, Thailand is not ruled out, nor is the Badajsan mine (Tajikistan). When it was found and how it came to the Alhambra remains a mystery, although it is most likely that it was brought to Granada by Genoese merchants”.

Monarchs who have worn the crown

As mentioned above, Queen Victoria, in 1838, was the first to wear this crown, but she was not the only one. George VI, at his coronation, was another British monarch who used it, and it has acquired great importance over time. Elizabeth II, since 1953, has been another head of state who has worn it, which accompanied her until the end of her days. In fact, at her funeral, the presence of the Imperial State Crown was visible.

After her proclamation, the queen promised to wear this headpiece in all official openings of the British Parliament and solemn events included in her activity. In more recent times, it was not uncommon to see the queen with this crown, although it would be carried on a cushion due to the weight discomfort of Elizabeth II.

How much is Imperial State Crown worth?

Another of the most relevant aspects that must be addressed when talking about the Imperial State Crown is its value. There have been reports of it having a value of around $4.5 million although others have put it several times higher. Needless to say that for many it is ‘priceless’.