Oldest of the royal crowns with 42 gems and 68 pearls

THE Crown of Scotland (left) placed on the Queen’s coffin while it was lying in rest in Edinburgh, is the oldest part of the royal regalia.

Solid gold and weighing 3lb 10oz (1.64kg), it was made in 1540 from an earlier version which was melted down and refashioned with additional Scottish gold mined in Lanarkshire.

It was commissioned by James V of Scotland and first worn in 1540 at the coronation of his second wife, Mary of Guise, as queen consort. It is decorated with 22 gemstones and 20 precious stones and 68 Scottish pearls.

The crown is the centrepiece of the Honours of Scotland, which are the oldest crown jewels in Britain and among the oldest in Europe. It has been used in ceremonies to represent the sovereign’s presence.

It will return to display at Edinburgh Castle when the Queen’s coffin is moved to London today.