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The Crown of Queen Mary is the consort crown made for Queen Mary, wife of George V, in 1911.
Mary bought the Art Deco-inspired crown from Garrard & Co. herself, and hoped that it would be worn by future queens consort. It is unusual for a British crown due to having eight half-arches instead of the traditional two arches.[1] It is 25 cm (9.8 in) tall and weighs 590 g (1.30 lb).[2]
The silver-gilt crown has around 2,200 rose-cut and brilliant-cut diamonds,[2] and originally contained the 105.6-carat (21.12 g) Koh-i-Noor diamond, as well as the 94.4-carat (18.88 g) Cullinan III and 63.6-carat (12.72 g) Cullinan IV. In 1914, they were all replaced with crystal models, and the arches were made detachable so that it could be worn as a circlet or open crown.[3] Mary wore it like this after George V died in 1936.[4]
Since Queen Mary died in 1953, the crown has not been worn. It is on display with the other Crown Jewels at the Tower of London.
See also
- Crown of Queen Alexandra
- Crown of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
References
- ^ Keay, Anna (2011). The Crown Jewels. Thames & Hudson. p. 175. ISBN 978-0-500-51575-4.
- ^ a b "Queen Mary's Crown". Royal Collection Trust. Inventory no. 31704.
- ^ Mears, Kenneth J.; Thurley, Simon; Murphy, Claire (1994). The Crown Jewels. Historic Royal Palaces. p. 27. ASIN B000HHY1ZQ.
- ^ Twining, Edward Francis (1960). A History of the Crown Jewels of Europe. B. T. Batsford. p. 167. ASIN B00283LZA6.
External links
- "Queen Mary's Crown". Royal Collection Trust. Inventory no. 31704.