Queen Elizabeth II owns a number of crowns, but the most well-known and precious is the Imperial State Crown, which is used during the State Opening of Parliament in the United Kingdom. It is a significant symbol of the British monarchy and its worth is believed to be in the millions of dollars.
The Imperial State Crown was crafted in 1937 for the coronation of King George VI, who was the Queen’s father, and was later utilized for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. The crown is created with gold and decorated with over 3,000 precious stones such as rubies, emeralds, diamonds, and sapphires. The Second Star of Africa, the second largest diamond in the world at 317.4 carats, is the biggest diamond in the crown.
Valuing the Imperial State Crown is difficult as several of the stones are deemed priceless and are part of the Crown Jewels, which are under the ownership of the British monarchy and are not for sale. However, there are estimates that the crown’s value is around $40 million USD.
The worth of the Imperial State Crown is not just attributed to the cost of the jewels, but also its historical and cultural importance. It is a symbol of the British monarchy and is used for important state events, such as the State Opening of Parliament and the coronation of a new monarch, which is a momentous and symbolic event that has been held for centuries.
Apart from the Imperial State Crown, the Queen also possesses several other valuable crowns and tiaras. One of these is the Diamond Diadem, which she often wears for official events and is worth around $5 million USD. It was created in 1820 for King George IV and has 1,333 diamonds.
The Queen also owns other tiaras in her collection, which she sometimes lends to other members of the royal family for special occasions. One of the most famous tiaras in her collection is the Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara, made in 1913 for Queen Mary, and has 19 diamond arches with hanging pearls. Its value is approximately $3 million USD.
In conclusion, the Queen’s collection of crowns and tiaras is regarded as one of the most valuable in the world, in terms of both monetary and cultural significance. Although it is hard to estimate the exact value of each piece, they are all seen as priceless treasures and are an essential part of the British monarchy’s history and heritage.