20 Stunning Photos of Royal Jewels

Queen Elizabeth II’s family are known to bring out the jewels for state occasions, weddings and banquets.

The 95-year-old monarch dips into her private collection to help out family members and also has the Crown Jewels, kept securely at the Tower of London.

They are thought to be among the most viewed in the world, drawing millions of tourists from London’s busy streets.

“Over 30 million people have seen them in their present setting at the Tower,” according to the Historic Royal Palaces, a charity that runs several of the royals’ palaces.

“They are possibly the most visited objects in Britain, perhaps the world. But most remarkable of all is that this a unique working collection.

“The Imperial State Crown is usually worn by the monarch for the State Opening of Parliament.

“When the next coronation comes around, key items will be taken to Westminster in readiness for the ceremony.”

The Imperial State Crown

Queen Elizabeth II’s Imperial State Crown is among the jewels kept under lock and key at the Tower of London and visited by tourists.

However, it does get one outing each year when the queen conducts the State Opening of Parliament, an occasion heavily laden with ceremony.

The crown itself gets its own carriage to the House of Lords, where Elizabeth reads the Queen’s Speech, outlining the Government’s legislative program for the year.

The Imperial State Crown
The Imperial State Crown is carried from the Houses of Parliament on May 18, 2016 in London, England. It is important enough to have its own carriage.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

The queen rarely speaks publicly about the realities of royal life but did give one typically dry appraisal of the crown to journalist Alastair Bruce.

She told a BBC documentary: “Fortunately, my father and I had about the same sort of shaped head. Once you put it on, it stays. It remains itself.”

“You can’t look down to read the speech,” she continued, “you have to take the speech up. Because if you did, your neck would break—it would fall off.”

Queen Elizabeth's Imperial State Crown
Queen Elizabeth ll and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, attend the State Opening of Parliament on November 18, 2009 in London, England. The queen is wearing the Imperial State Crown.
Anwar Hussein/WireImage

Kate Middleton’s Sapphire Engagement Ring

When Prince William asked Kate Middleton to be his future queen he used the same diamond and sapphire engagement ring as his father Prince Charles.

Prince Harry inherited the ring but chose to give it to his brother so that their mother Princess Diana could one day symbolically take her place on the throne, through her jewellery.

Former royal butler Paul Burrell told Amazon Prime documentary The Diana Story: “Harry said to him: ‘Wouldn’t it be fitting if she [Kate] had mummy’s ring?’.”

He added: “Then one day that ring will be sat on the throne of England. Harry gave up his precious treasure.”

Kate Middleton's Engagement Ring
Kate Middleton presents medals to members of the Irish Guards at the Victoria Barracks on June 25, 2011 in Windsor, England. She is wearing the engagement ring given to her by Prince William ahead of their 2011 royal wedding.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Kate Middleton Wears Diana's Engagement Ring
Kate Middleton’s engagement ring as she poses for photographs in the State Apartments with Prince William at St James Palace on November 16, 2010, in London, England. It had previously been Princess Diana’s engagement ring.
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Princess Diana's Engagement Ring
Princess Diana sapphire engagement ring, given to her by Prince Charles ahead of their 1981 wedding, photographed here in Brazil on 25 April, 1991.
Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

The St Edward’s Crown

The queen multiple crowns though one of them, the St Edward’s Crown, she has only worn once at her coronation in 1953.

It is the same crown in which Charles II performed his coronation at the same church, Westminster Abbey, in 1661.

For hundreds of years, the crown did not have permanent jewels, which would instead by rented for each coronation, according to the Royal Collection Trust.

However, the crown was finally permanently set in 1911 and now weighs 2.23kg.

The fact it is so rarely worn has allowed the original St Edward’s Crown to survive, whereas the more frequently worn Imperial State Crown has required replacement, according to the RCT website.

Queen Elizabeth II in St Edward's Crown
Queen Elizabeth II wears the St Edward’s Crown at her Westminster Abbey coronation on 2 June, 1953. It is the only time she has worn the crown.
Central Press/Getty Images

Meghan Markle in Queen Mary’s Bandeau Tiara

The Duchess of Sussex married Prince Harry in a rarely seen tiara she borrowed from Queen Elizabeth II.

Meghan wore the Queen Mary Bandeau Tiara as she officially became a princess at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, on May 19, 2018.

The website of the Royal Collection Trust states: “This diamond and platinum bandeau tiara, lent to the Duchess by Her Majesty The Queen, held the veil in place.”

It adds: “The tiara is formed as a flexible band of eleven sections, pavé set with large and small brilliant diamonds in a geometric design. The centre is set with a detachable brooch of ten brilliant diamonds.”

Meghan Markle's Wedding Tiara
Meghan Markle wearing Queen Mary’s Bandeau Tiara following her wedding to Prince Harry at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, on May 19, 2018, in Windsor, England. The Duchess of Sussex was leant the jewellery by Queen Elizabeth II.
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Queen Mary’s Fringe Tiara

Queen Elizabeth II wore Queen Mary’s Fringe Tiara when she married Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey in November, 1947.

However, it was not a completely seamless affair as the jewellery broke at the last minute and had to be repaired.

The royal family’s website states: “The diamond fringe tiara was lent to The Queen on her wedding day, the frame of the gem broke as the bridge was putting it on and it had to be quickly repaired.”

Queen Elizabeth II's Wedding Tiara
Queen Elizabeth II, then Princess Elizabeth, and her husband Prince Philip in 1947, on their wedding day. She is wearing Queen Mary’s Fringe Tiara, leant to her by Queen Mary for the special day.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images

The tiara was made for Queen Mary in 1919 using a diamond necklace given by Queen Victoria for her 1893 wedding and leant to then Princess Elizabeth, according to the Royal Collection Trust website.

The piece was worn more recently though after Elizabeth leant it to granddaughter Princess Beatrice for her lockdown wedding last summer.

Queen Elizabeth II’s Orb and Sceptre

The Crown Jewels also contain an orb and sceptre used by the incoming monarch during the coronation.

The Historic Royal Palaces website states: “The gold Sovereign’s Orb (1661), containing many original gemstones, symbolises the Christian world with its cross mounted on a globe. It is placed in the monarch’s right hand before being placed on the altar.”

The sceptre contains what HRP describes as “the largest top quality cut white diamond in the world, weighting in at 530.2 carats.”

Queen Elizabeth's Orb and Sceptre
Queen Elizabeth II wearing the Imperial state Crown and carrying the Orb and sceptre, leaving the state coach and entering Buckingham Palace, after her 1953 coronation at Westminster Abbey, in London.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Kate Middleton’s Cartier Halo Scroll Tiara

The Duchess of Cambridge wore the Cartier Halo Scroll Tiara when she married Prince William at Westminster Abbey, in 2011.

The piece was originally designed by Cartier for King George VI to give to the Queen Mother in 1936 back when he was the Duke of York, before he took the throne.

The Royal Collection Trust describes it as: “A diamond ‘halo’ tiara formed as a band of 16 graduated scrolls, set with 739 brilliants and 149 baton diamonds, each scroll divided by a graduated brilliant and with a large brilliant at the centre.”

Kate Middleton's Wedding Tiara
Kate Middleton leaves Westminster Abbey following their Royal Wedding to Prince William on April 29, 2011 in London, England.
Anwar Hussein/Getty Images

Princess Diana’s Spencer Family Tiara

Not all the jewellery in the royal history books belongs to the queen—in fact one of Princess Diana’s most famous pieces was the Spencer Family Tiara.

Prince William and Prince Harry’s mother chose to carry a piece of her own family history on her wedding day in 1981 when she married Prince Charles and became the Princess of Wales.

Prior to that point, she had been Lady Diana Spencer, her blood family being aristocratic in their own right.

The piece was created by Garrard in the 1930s based on gifts the family had been given, including a present from the wedding of Diana’s grandparents, Lady Cynthia Hamilton and the 7th Earl Spencer, Town & Country reported.

Princess Diana's Spencer Tiara
Princess Diana, pregnant with Prince Harry, wearing a maternity dress with the Spencer Family Tiara for an event at The Royal Academy, in London, in 1984.
Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images
Princess Diana's Spencer Family Tiara
Princess Diana wearing the Spencer family Tiara in an open carriage from St. Paul’s Cathedral to Buckingham Palace following her wedding to Prince Charles on July 29, 1981 in London, England.
Anwar Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images

Meghan Markle’s Engagement Ring

Prince Harry created Meghan Markle’s engagement ring using diamonds from Princess Diana’s collection.

The sparkler features a central stone with two smaller diamonds either side and was originally set on a gold band, though eagle eyed royal watchers have since noticed this has been updated in subsequent years.

During their engagement interview in 2017, Prince Harry told the BBC: “The ring is obviously yellow gold because that’s what her favorite [is], and the main stone itself I sourced from Botswana and the little diamonds either side are from my mother’s jewelry collection to make sure that she’s with us on this crazy journey together.”

Meghan replied: “It’s beautiful, and he designed it. It’s incredible.”

Prince Harry joked: “Yeah, make sure it stays on that finger.”

Meghan Markle's Engagement Ring
Meghan Markle’s engagement ring during an official photocall to announce the engagement of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace on November 27, 2017 in London, England. The gold band was later updated.
Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images
Meghan Markle's Updated Engagement Ring
Meghan Markle wears her new look engagement ring as she travels down The Mall in a horse drawn carriage during Trooping The Colour on June 8, 2019 in London, England.
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
Meghan Markle's Original Engagement Ring
Meghan Markle attends an Anzac Day Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey on April 25, 2018 in London, England. She is wearing her original engagement ring.
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II’s Crown Amethyst Suite of Jewels

The queen has a spectacular collection of jewelry known as the Crown Amethyst Suite of Jewels.

The set includes a diamond brooch, earrings and necklace and originally belonged to Queen Victoria’s mother.

Elizabeth rarely wears the suite, though she did use the necklace at a state banquet in Portugal in 1985.

Queen Elizabeth II's Crown Amethyst Jewels
Queen Elizabeth II wears a necklace and brooch from the Crown Amethyst Suite of Jewels which originally belonged to Queen Victoria’s mother at a state banquet in Portugal in 1985. The tiara, known as ‘Granny’s Tiara,’ was originally given to Queen Mary on her marriage.
Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Diadem

Anyone who has been to Britain will know Queen Elizabeth II’s face appears on coins, and also postage stamps.

In those iconic profile images she is wearing the 1,333 diamonds of the state diadem first made for George IV but later used primarily by queens rather than kings.

The website of the Royal Collection Trust reads: “Set with 1,333 diamonds, including a four-carat pale yellow brilliant in the centre of the front cross, the diadem has been regularly worn (and slightly modified) by queens regnant and consort from Queen Adelaide onwards. This feminine association belies its origin, since it was made for George IV’s use at his famously extravagant coronation in 1821.”

Queen Elizabeth II's State Diadem
Queen Elizabeth II wears the Diamond Diadem made by Rundell, Bridge & Rundell as she arrives at the House of Lords for the State Opening of Parliament on November 6, 2007 in London, England. The crown was traditionally worn by queens rather than kings.
Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Diadem
Queen Elizabeth II wears ‘The Diamond Diadem’ made by Rundell, Bridge and Rundell as she travels down The Mall to attend the State Opening of Parliament on December 3, 2008 in London, England. The crown is recognisable from the image of the queen found on coins in Britain.
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth II on £2 Coin
A two pound coin featuring a new portrait of Queen Elizabeth II is displayed at The National Portrait Gallery on March 2, 2015 in London, England. In the image of the queen she wears the Diamond Diadem crown.
Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images