History of Famous Jewels and Collections
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    Re: Queen Mary’s circlet Archived Message

    Posted by Beth on August 30, 2018, 8:06 pm, in reply to "Queen Mary’s circlet"

    I have been trying to work out how to reply to Jason's query as it incorporates several different issues.

    Jason, I hope the following does not confuse you -- or others (and I hope I have matters correct)

    1. Queen Mary removed the Cullinan and the Koh-i-noor from her crown so that she could continue to use the diamonds separately.

    2. I believe that the crown was then displayed in the Tower of London with the paste replicas.

    But

    3. When Queen Mary used her crown either for formal Court events or for the Opening of Parliament, the authentic stones were replaced in her crown.

    For example
    1926



    1921 at the Opening of Parliament



    4. For the 1937 Coronation Queen Mary relinquished the Koh-i-noor to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, who incorporated it in her new crown.

    5. Queen Mary's crown was her own private property and she had it adapted to take the Cullinan V brooch in the central cross pattee.

    The brooch



    Crown for 1937 Coronation.



    The above photo is not 100% clear. I hope that some one has a better photo.

    I am not sure what arrangements Queen Mary made about a substitute for the Cullinan previously mounted on the band of her crown - but we know from photos that she wore it as a corsage jewel for the 1937 Coronation.

    Does anyone have a really clear photo? I suspect that HM may have simply had the centre of the band reconfigured to look the same as the rest of the elements in the band -- but I don't have any real knowledge on that.

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