Glittering with diamonds, the crown jewel of the ceremony
SPARKLING with 3,000 precious jewels, the Imperial State Crown was one of the dazzling treasures laid on top of the Queen’s coffin yesterday.
It contains some of the most famous jewels in the royal collection including the 317carat Cullinan II diamond, the Stuart Sapphire and the Black Prince’s Ruby.
Created in 1 37, the crown is set with 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, 26 pearls and four rubies.
Also set in the top cross is St Edward’s Sapphire, which is said to have been worn by St Edward the Confessor and was discovered in his tomb in 1163.
It was made for the coronation of the Queen’s father, King George VI, and was worn by Her Majesty every year for the State Opening of Parliament.
Sitting next to the crown was a wreath of the Queen’s favourite flowers. It included pine picked from her Balmoral estate and pittosporum, lavender and rosemary from her gardens at Windsor.
The wreath, which also included white roses and dahlias, also served as a touching tribute to her late husband. Dahlias can symbolise a lasting commitment between two people – perhaps a poignant reference to her 73-year marriage with Prince Philip.
Both the crown and the wreath sat atop the Royal Standard.