Camilla, Queen Consort, visits Norbrook Community Centre in Wythenshawe, Manchester, north west England. Image: AFP/ Frank Augstein.
If the crown fits…should Camilla wear it?
Crown of thorns? Critics weigh in on whether Camillla will wear the Queen Mother’s ‘blood diamond’ crown for King Charles III’s coronation
Camilla, Queen Consort, visits Norbrook Community Centre in Wythenshawe, Manchester, north west England. Image: AFP/ Frank Augstein.
King Charles’ coronation is around the corner, but all eyes will be on Queen Consort Camilla’s (75) choice of crown for the ceremony.
But critics warn that if the queen consort chooses to wear the late Queen Mother’s crown, she might commit a scandalous faux pas.
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BEST CROWN FOR QUEEN CAMILLA?
On 6 May, Camilla, the Queen Consort, will be crowned alongside King Charles III and many are speculating whether she will wear the crown which feature the so-called “blood diamond” Koh-i-Noor, Express UK reports. The crown was worn by the late Queen Elizabeth.
According to reports, the crown has reportedly only been worn by Britain’s queens as it bring back “painful memories of the colonial past”.
Express UK reports that King Charles wants Camilla to wear the crown with Koh-i-Noor diamond at the coronation, just like his grandmother. The Queen Mother wore the crown at King George VI’s coronation in 1936.
But, critics warn that wearing the crown might cause an international scandal and “a massive diplomatic grenade”, according to the Daily Mail.
After Queen Elizabeth’s death, word “Kohinoor” began trending on Indian Twitter, Time reports.
The 105-carat oval-shaped ‘blood diamond’ forms part of 2,800 stones set in the crown, according to Time.
ALTERNATIVE CORONATION OPTIONS
The Telegraph reports that to avoid controversy, Queen Camilla might instead opt for the crown worn by Queen Adelaide in 1831.
In doing so, she will still wear a crown worn by a previous Queen.
Following Queen Adelaide’s coronation, the diamonds were all removed, giving Camilla the opportunity to fit the crown with jewels from the Queens own private collection that has sentimental meaning to her, Express UK reports.
JEWELLERY STEEPED IN HISTORY
Since Queen Adelaide’s coronation, all British Queen Consorts have had their own special consort crowns made for them. Crowns were made for Queen Alexandra, Queen Mary and the Queen Mother.
But, due to the current world economical crisis, Queen Camilla is unlikely to choose to have her own crown made.
Queen Adelaide’s crown is part of the Royal Collection and has been on public display in the Martin Tower at the Tower of London since 1996. It’s value is roughly estimated at more than R16 million (£1million), Express UK reports.
The Queen Mother’s crown that is causing all the speculation was was seized by the East India Company and given to Queen Victoria in the 19th century. Critics believe that its appearance at the coronation could provide can somewhat unwelcome reminder of the British Empire.
Critics say its appearance would provide an unwelcome reminder of the British Empire.
Express UK reports that palace officials are reviewing whether Camilla should wear the ‘colonial’ crown for the coronation ceremony.
A PRICELESS HISTORIAL PIECE
Fine jewellery experts at UK retailer Steven Stone told Express UK that it’s incredibly difficult to put a price on a historical piece like the Queen Mother’s crown.
The Koh-I-Noor diamond is said to be worth £591million (more than R12 billion). The crown is to believed to be worth £1billion (more than R21 billion).
“Boasting 2,203 brilliant cut and 662 rose cut diamonds, the crown is a particularly delicate piece. Known for their sparkle, brilliant diamond diamonds are fairly common, whereas rose cut diamonds are much rarer – sitting closer to the skin than their taller counterparts, rose cut diamonds allow light to move through the stone, resulting in a more transparent glow and subtle shine, jewellery experts concluded.
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