Coronation of King Charles III.
This crown will be worn by King Consort Camilla
Camilla will also be crowned during her husband’s ceremony.
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King’s wife Camilla is crowned by King Charles III. wearing a special crown rooted in royal tradition.
On May 6th of this year, the king’s wife Camilla (75) will also be crowned alongside her husband. During the coronation ceremony of King Charles III. (74) in Westminster Abbey, the 75-year-old will wear a special crown – and thus break with tradition. As the palace has announced, Camilla’s head will adorn Queen Mary’s crown at the festive occasion. This was made in 1911 for the wife of the British King George V (1865-1936). Maria von Teck (1867-1953), like Camilla, was crowned king’s wife at her husband’s side.
For reasons of sustainability, Camilla refrains from making a new one
Queen Mary’s crown is no longer on display as part of the British Crown Jewels in the Tower of London. A similar thing happened at the end of last year with the Edwardian crown, which was collected from the Tower to be adapted and modified for the upcoming coronation of King Charles. The Edwardian Crown will adorn the British monarch’s head during the coronation ceremony.
Camilla’s decision to wear Queen Mary’s crown on her head marks a certain break with British royal tradition. For the first time in almost three centuries, no new crown will be commissioned for the coronation of a royal consort. According to the Palace, Camilla has arranged this for reasons of sustainability and efficiency.
Camilla’s crown honors the late Queen
The famous Cullinan III, IV and V diamonds are set in Queen Mary’s crown for Camilla’s coronation ceremony. These formed part of Queen Elizabeth II’s (1926-2022) personal jewelery collection and were often worn as brooches by the late monarch during her lifetime. Four of the crown’s eight detachable arches will also be removed for Camilla’s coronation, giving Queen Mary’s crown a different silhouette than that of the 1911 ceremony.