The George IV Diadem is yet another beautiful crown! Not part of the Royal Jewels, it is privately owned and worn by the British royal family for official occasions. Perhaps it was a favorite diadem of Queen Elizabeth II as it is the crown she wore on a myriad of occasions including for her image on postage stamps and her York Minister statue unveiled 2 months after her death to mark her Platinum Jubilee (in 2022). BTW, a diadem is just a fancy word for a jeweled crown worn by a ruler as a symbol of wealth and power.
Historically known as the George IV Diadem, the King commissioned jewelers Rundell & Bridge to make the diadem in 1820 for his 1821 coronation. Sometimes its name gets shortened to the Diamond Diadem.
Originally the diadem's 1,333 diamonds which weigh 320 carats were only rented. Some sources claim they were later privately purchased, but for sure they were not returned to the jeweler. The frame is made of gold and silver, and the crown has a 4-carat yellow diamond in the center of one of its 4 cross pattèes (an edged or footed cross). At the bottom, it has 169 pearls forming 2 rows that enclose a 3rd row of brilliant-cut round diamonds. The crown's 4 bouquets of roses, thistles, and shamrocks represent England, Scotland, and Ireland.
Photos: left: Royal Collection Trust and right: Wikipedia Commons
After George IV's reign, the diadem was worn by Queens, starting with Queen Adelaide (the wife of William IV), Queen Victoria, Queen Alexandra (wife of Edward VII), Queen Mary (wife of George V), and Queen Elizabeth II who wore it often on state occasions.
As Charles III will likely not wear the diadem, I for one will miss it. I'm guessing Queen Camilla won't wear it as much as her mother-in-law and will likely have a different favorite. Oh, well, fellow jewelry lovers you can always return here to look at it.
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