Regalia Gallery

Royal crowns and sceptre

Symbols of imperial Majesty: St Edward's Crown, with 444 precious stones, remains one of the senior Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom, being the official coronation crown. Imperial State Crown, symbolises the sovereignty of the monarch, there have been several versions since the 15th century, similar to that of St Edward's Crown, but shorter and encrusted with jewels, precious gems, diamonds, pearls, sapphires, emeralds and rubies. State Crown of Queen Mary Consort of King George V of England. Imperial Crown of India, was the crown of three British sovereigns as Emperors of India during the final decades of the Indian Empire. Date: 1935

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Notables assembled in the Abbey annexe at 1937 Coronation

Ecclesiastics, distinguished officers of state and regalia bearers awaiting the arrival of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in the tapestried hall of the temporary annexe of Westminster Abbey. On the extreme left is Viscount Lascelles, elder son of the Princess Royal, one of the King's train-bearers. The group left centre consists of the Duke of Buccleuch, the Lord Steward; Field-Marshal Lord Milne, bearer of the Second Sword; the Earl of Cromer, the Lord Chamberlain; and the Duchess of Norfolk, canopy bearer to the Queen. The two ecclesiastics standing in the centre are the Archbishop of York and the Bishop of London (bearer of the paten), while the group on the right foreground consists of the Duke of Abercorn, one of the four Knights of the Garter appointed to hold the canopy for the King's Anointing; the Earl of Lytton, another canopy-bearer; Major Algar H. S. Howard, Norroy King of Arms; and Lord Hailsham the Lord Chancellor. Date: 1937

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Three Sceptres - The Crown Jewels

Crown Jewels - The Queen's Sceptre with the Dove - The King's Sceptre with the Dove and The Head of the King's Royal Sceptre, was redesigned in 1910 to incorporate Cullinan I, also known as the Great Star of Africa, which, at over 530 carats (106 g), is still the largest clear cut diamond in the world. Date: 1936

© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection