The Crown Jewels are one of the most important and recognisable symbols of the British monarchy. This remarkable collection of crowns, robes, and ceremonial objects has a history stretching back hundreds of years, shaped by moments of great celebration as well as periods of conflict and uncertainty. Today, the Crown Jewels are still used during major royal ceremonies, including coronations and the State Opening of Parliament.
But the Royal Armouries cares for something far less well known — a set of replica crown jewels housed at the Tower of London. Discover why these replicas were created, how they were used, and how they became part of the Royal Armouries collection.
The Imperial State Crown is worn by the His Majesty the King during formal functions such as the State Opening of Parliament. It is mounted with 2868 diamonds as well as the controversial Cullinan II diamond and St. Edward's Sapphire.
Named after Queen Mary, consort of King George V, the crown is traditionally given to the Queen during the coronation ceremony. The crown is inlaid with the Cullinan III, IV, and V diamonds.
St. Edward's Crown was made in 1661 for the coronation of Charles II, it replaced a medieval crown which was melted down during the time of the republican English government in 1649. The medieval original is believed to have dated back to Edward the Confessor who died in 1066.
The Queen's Rod with Dove is paired with the Queen's Sceptre with Cross. It was created for the first Queen Consort, Mary of Modena, in 1685. Mary was crowned alongside her husband James II.
The Sovereign's Sceptres represent the two responsibilities of a monarch. The Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross represents their worldly authority over their people. The Sovereign's Sceptre with Dove represents their spiritual role as head of the Church of England.
The Golden Spurs (or Spurs of St. George) were made in 1661 for Charles II. They signify knighthood and the principles of chivalry. Traditionally, the spurs were buckled to the monarch's ankles but today, they are held to the ankles for a moment before being placed on the altar. Golden spurs first appeared in English coronations in 1189 for the crowning of Richard I (the lionheart)
The Orb was made in 1661 and represents the Christian world and the monarch's power over it. Gold and jewelled bands divide the orb into three sections, each representing the three continents known to Christians during the medieval era - Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Queen Elizabeth II's Armills were created for the coronation of Her Late Majesty in 1953, replacing those which had been used since 1661. They are referred to in the coronation ceremony as 'bracelets of sincerity and wisdom'.
The Sword of Offering was made in 1820. During a coronation, the sword represents the monarch's duty to protect the good and punish the evil. The sword is traditionally offered on the high altar and exchanged for 100 silver pieces, or 100 newly minted 50 pence pieces as it was in 2023.
Today, two parts of the Royal Armouries’ replica crown jewels are on display in the White Tower at the Tower of London – the ampulla and coronation spoon.
The Ampulla is a gold vessel, which holds the holy oil used to anoint the sovereign during the coronation. It is in the form of an eagle, with its wings spread wide. The oil is poured through the eagle’s beak. The Ampulla’s design is based on a 14th century legend that the Virgin Mary appeared to Archbishop Thomas Becket and gave him a golden eagle, containing a bottle of holy oil. As with many other elements of the Crown Jewels, the Ampulla dates from 1661 and the restoration of the monarchy.
The replica coronation spoon is on display in the Royal Armouries, White Tower, Tower of London.
View the full object record for the replica ampulla (XXI.85 17)
The silver-gilt Coronation Spoon, dating from the 12th century, is the only surviving object from the medieval Crown Jewels. During the coronation, holy oil is poured from the Ampulla into the spoon. The bowl of the spoon is divided into two parts. This may be to help the archbishop to more easily dip two fingers into the oil, which he uses to anoint the sovereign. In 1649, during the British Civil Wars, the spoon was sold off to a Yeoman of the Wardrobe, while the rest of the Crown Jewels were melted down or destroyed. In 1661, the Yeoman returned the spoon to King Charles II.
The replica coronation spoon is on display in the Royal Armouries, White Tower, Tower of London.
View the full object record for the replica ampulla (XXI.85 18)
For a country still dealing with the aftermath of the Second World War, the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 was a cause for celebration. Interest in the monarchy boomed and with it, a fascination with the Crown Jewels.
As a result, many sets of replica Crown Jewels were produced at this time. The British Board of Trade ordered the production of multiple sets. Their intention was to send these replicas on tour, at home and abroad, to boost trade and support the monarchy.
These replicas were usually crafted by jewellers, and gold and silversmiths, such as Eric Dorey of London, and Charles Elston of Stockton-on-Tees. The quality of the replicas varied depending on the cost of materials, for example, brass was often used in place of gold and set with glass ‘gems’.
During the 1950s and 1960s, these official replicas often formed the centre of travelling exhibitions, such as ‘British Weeks’, held at international trade fairs. Exhibitions took place in Britain, the United States of America, and across The Commonwealth. They sometimes included items such as royal paintings and photographs, and replica coronation robes.
These exhibitions were held in art galleries, museums, town halls, sports clubs, and schools. And because of the connection to trade, they were also held in department stores, jewellers and even, in at least one case, a toyshop.
The replica crown jewels received several rave reviews from local newspapers, but it is hard to imagine they attracted as much attention as the real Crown Jewels do today.
...an educational, thrilling experience you won't want to miss
Washington Evening Star, Washington D.C., United States
...every piece has its deep symbolic meaning, and provides us today links with the England of a thousand years and more ago.
The Press, Christchurch, New Zealand
By the 1970s, several sets of replica crown jewels were held by the Department of Trade and Industry. One set was gifted to the Tower of London in 1976. It was used by the Education Team in teaching sessions until the early 2000s.
In 2023, to mark the coronation of His Majesty The King, Charles III, several of the replica crown jewels were displayed at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds.
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