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The 5 Most Iconic Crowns Of Queen Elizabeth II And What Happened To Their Legendary Jewels In 2025

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The legacy of Queen Elizabeth II remains inextricably linked to the magnificent symbols of her sovereignty, most notably the British Crown Jewels. While she wore a vast array of tiaras and diadems throughout her 70-year reign, a select few crowns stand out as the definitive emblems of her power and the continuity of the monarchy. As of today, December 23, 2025, these priceless artifacts continue their service to the Crown, now primarily associated with the reign of King Charles III, yet forever marked by Queen Elizabeth II's historic use.

This deep dive explores the most significant crowns worn by the late Queen, detailing the fate of their legendary jewels and their current status within the Royal Collection, including their recent use at the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, ensuring you have the most up-to-date information on these breathtaking pieces of history.

The Definitive Crown Jewels: A Post-Elizabeth II Overview

The term "crown of Elizabeth II" most commonly refers to the two principal crowns used during her 1953 Coronation: the ancient St. Edward’s Crown and the spectacular Imperial State Crown. These pieces form the core of the Crown Jewels, a collection of 142 objects and over 23,000 stones, housed securely at the Tower of London. Their recent use at the 2023 Coronation of King Charles III has renewed global interest in their historical significance and priceless components.

1. The Imperial State Crown: The Crown of Annual Duty

The Imperial State Crown is the crown most people associate with Queen Elizabeth II. She wore it for her procession out of Westminster Abbey after her coronation and, crucially, for almost every State Opening of Parliament throughout her reign. The current version was made for the coronation of King George VI in 1937, replacing Queen Victoria's Crown, and was adjusted slightly for Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

Its sheer weight, around 2.3 kilograms (5 pounds), eventually led the Queen to opt for the lighter George IV State Diadem for the State Opening of Parliament in her later years, though the Imperial State Crown was still present.

  • Composition: The crown is set with 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, 4 rubies, and 269 pearls, all set in a gold frame.
  • Current Status: The Imperial State Crown was worn by King Charles III for his procession from Westminster Abbey following his coronation in May 2023. It remains the principal crown for the monarch's use on State occasions.

The Three Legendary Jewels Within the Imperial State Crown

The true value and historical depth of the Imperial State Crown lie in the three world-famous gemstones it holds, each with a centuries-old story.

A. The Cullinan II Diamond (The Second Star of Africa)

Set prominently at the front of the crown, below the Black Prince’s Ruby, the Cullinan II is a colossal cushion-cut diamond. It is one of the nine major stones cut from the original 3,106-carat Cullinan Diamond, the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found.

  • Carat Weight: 317.40 carats.
  • Historical Significance: It is often referred to as the "Second Star of Africa," with the largest piece, the Cullinan I (530.2 carats), set in the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross.

B. The Black Prince's Ruby (Actually a Spinel)

This magnificent, large, uncut stone is set in the center of the crown's front cross pattee. Despite its name, the Black Prince’s Ruby is actually a massive, unpolished red spinel, a fact only confirmed by modern gemology.

  • Historical Significance: Its history dates back to the 14th century. Legend holds it was owned by Pedro the Cruel, King of Castile, and was given to Edward of Woodstock (the Black Prince) as payment for military assistance in 1367. It has been a part of the Crown Jewels since then.

C. St Edward's Sapphire

Crowning the uppermost cross of the Imperial State Crown, this octagonal rose-cut blue sapphire is the oldest jewel in the entire collection.

  • Legend: It is said to have been worn in a ring by St Edward the Confessor, the King of England from 1042 to 1066. The sapphire was allegedly discovered in his tomb in 1163.

2. The St. Edward's Crown: The Crown of the Crowning Moment

The St. Edward’s Crown is the most sacred and significant of the British Coronation Regalia. It is reserved exclusively for the moment a new monarch is crowned. Queen Elizabeth II wore it briefly during her 1953 Coronation, the last time it was used until the coronation of her son.

  • Composition: Unlike the Imperial State Crown, this crown is made of solid 22-carat gold. It is adorned with 444 stones, including semi-precious and precious stones like sapphires, tourmalines, amethysts, and topazes.
  • Weight and Size: It is significantly heavy, weighing 2.23 kilograms (4.9 pounds) and standing 30 centimeters (12 inches) tall.
  • Current Status: The St. Edward’s Crown was placed upon the head of King Charles III by the Archbishop of Canterbury on May 6, 2023, marking the first time it had been used since Queen Elizabeth II's crowning 70 years prior. It is currently held in the Jewel House at the Tower of London.

3. The George IV State Diadem (The Diamond Diadem)

While not a "crown," the George IV State Diadem is perhaps the most recognizable piece of headwear associated with Queen Elizabeth II. She wore it in her carriage procession to the State Opening of Parliament and famously wore it for the official photographs used on British and Commonwealth currency.

  • Origin: It was originally created for King George IV in 1820 for his coronation.
  • Composition: Set with 1,333 diamonds, including a four-carat brilliant diamond at the center, the diadem features a border of pearls and is decorated with roses, shamrocks, and thistles—the national emblems of England, Ireland, and Scotland.
  • Current Status: The tradition continues. Queen Camilla has adopted the George IV State Diadem, wearing it for her own procession to the State Opening of Parliament, following in the footsteps of her late mother-in-law.

4. The Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara

The collection of tiaras worn by Queen Elizabeth II was vast, rumored to be around 50 pieces, but the Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara is a standout piece that she wore frequently.

  • Origin: This tiara was originally made in 1874 for Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna of Russia. It was smuggled out of Russia during the 1917 Revolution.
  • Design: It consists of diamond circles that can be fitted with either pearl drops or emerald drops, offering the late Queen two distinct styles.
  • Current Status: As part of the personal collection of the monarch, it is now part of King Charles III’s private jewelry collection and is available for use by senior female members of the Royal Family.

5. The Queen Mary Fringe Tiara

This tiara holds a deeply personal connection to Queen Elizabeth II's life. It was originally made for Queen Mary in 1919 from a necklace given to her by Queen Victoria.

  • Key Use: Queen Elizabeth II wore this tiara on her wedding day to Prince Philip in 1947, and later, her daughter, Princess Anne, and her granddaughter, Princess Beatrice, also wore it for their weddings.
  • Design: It is designed to resemble a Russian kokoshnik, made of diamonds set in gold and silver.
  • Current Status: It is considered a part of the Crown Estate’s collection and is a key piece that can be loaned out to the next generation of royal brides, maintaining its status as a significant piece of family history.
crown of elizabeth ii
crown of elizabeth ii

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