The Crown Jewels consist of a unique collection of royal regalia, with a history stretching back centuries. The history of the real Crown Jewels is marked by both splendour and crisis. They tell the tale of the English monarchy and they remain in use for occasions such as coronation services and the State Opening of Parliament. But did you know that the Royal Armouries has in its collection a set of replica Crown Jewels, also housed at the Tower of London? Discover the story of why the replicas were created, how they were used, and how they came to be at the Tower.
For a country still dealing with the aftermath of the Second World War, the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 was a cause for celebration. Interest in the monarchy boomed and with it, a fascination with the Crown Jewels. To cater to this growing interest, the British Board of Trade ordered the production of multiple sets of replica Crown Jewels. The purpose was to send these replicas on tour, at home and abroad, to boost trade and support the monarchy.
Private jewellers, such as Eric Dorey of London and Charles Elston of Stockton-on-Tees, were commissioned to produce these stunning works using cheaper materials. Brass was often used in place of gold and set with glass ‘gems’. However, the quality of the replicas varied depending on their cost and who was making them.
During the 1950s and 1960s, these official forgeries often formed the centre of travelling exhibitions, such as ‘British Weeks’, held at international trade fairs. Exhibitions took place in Britain, the United States, and across the Commonwealth . They sometimes included items such as Royal paintings and photographs, and replica coronation robes.
The displays were held in art galleries, museums, town halls, sports clubs, and schools. Because of the connection to trade, they were also held in department stores, jewellers and even, in at least one case, a toyshop!
The replicas attracted as much attention as the real Crown Jewels do today, receiving several rave reviews from local newspapers.
...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. The donation was just in time for Queen Elizabeth II's silver jubilee, marking 25 years on the throne. This replica set was then used by the education team in teaching sessions until the early 2000s.
In 2023, to mark the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, many of the replicas went on display at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds. Today, only two pieces of the Royal Armouries’ replica Crown Jewels – the Ampulla , and the Coronation or Anointing Spoon , are on display in the White Tower at the Tower of London.
The real Crown Jewels are displayed in the Jewel House at the Tower of London,
The Imperial State Crown is worn by 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, this crown is traditionally given to the Queen during the coronation ceremony. The crown is inlaid with the Cullinan III, IV, and V diamonds.
Made in 1661 for the coronation of Charles II, St. Edward's Crown is a replacement for the previous medieval crown which was melted down under the republican English government in 1649. The medieval original was 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.
Golden spurs first appeared in English coronations in 1189 for the crowning of Richard I. 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.
The Sovereign's Orb 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.
These gold bracelets were designed specifically for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. Before then, monarchs used armills (bracelets) with the national emblems of the United Kingdom - roses for England, thistles for Scotland, and harps for Ireland. 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.
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