Elizabeth II

From idealistic young queen to seasoned stateswoman: a life where personal desire yields to public duty.

Elizabeth II stands as the central figure in this narrative, chronicling her journey from a young wife to the long-reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. The story details the tension between her private life as Elizabeth and her public role as head of state, set against decades of political change and family challenges. While the series dramatizes these events, historical records anchor her reign in specific moments: she ascended following a sudden tragedy, wore the Imperial State Crown at her own coronation in 1953, and maintained an unwavering presence through global shifts. Her legacy is defined by endurance, navigating scandals and upheaval while keeping the institution stable.

Quick Facts

Character role: Queen of the United Kingdom
Affiliation: The British Royal Family; The Crown

Lore & Background

The narrative traces Elizabeth's evolution from an idealistic young woman into a steadfast leader who values silence and stability over conflict. As decades pass, she faces challenges within her household and political pressures, yet consistently chooses endurance. Her arc is marked by the systematic sacrifice of personal happiness to preserve the monarchy. A pivotal historical moment occurs in 1953, when she wears the Imperial State Crown, a symbol of sovereignty, at her coronation. The series highlights her ability to compartmentalize pain, maintaining composure during family crises and national tragedies. Her reign is characterized by strategic patience rather than aggression, adapting the monarchy to survive an era that questions its existence.

Reader's Guide

Elizabeth II begins as a young woman unaware of her full burden, driven by love for Prince Philip and duty to her father. Her arc involves a slow hardening of resolve, sacrificing personal happiness for monarchical stability. Her primary skill is emotional restraint, allowing her to compartmentalize pain during scandals or tragedies like the death of King George VI. She navigates complex politics through patience and strategic silence rather than aggression. Key moments include her accession following a sudden tragedy, her 1953 coronation where she wore the Queen Mother's Crown as a circlet, and her handling of family crises that threatened public perception. Her journey reflects an ultimate acceptance that she belongs to the people. The series illustrates how she adapts the institution to survive in a changing world, maintaining composure even when personal grief is heavy.

Origins and Unique Craftsmanship

The Crown of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was made by Garrard & Co., the Crown Jeweller at the time, for her coronation in 1937. It was designed partly on the model of the Crown of Queen Mary but differs significantly by featuring four half-arches instead of the original eight. Like its predecessor, its arches are detachable at the crosses pattée, allowing it to be worn either as a circlet or an open crown. Notably, this is the only crown created for a British king or queen that is made entirely of pure platinum.

The Koh-i-Noor and Historical Gemstones

The crown is adorned with approximately 2,800 diamonds. Its most famous gem is the 105-carat (21.0 g) Koh-i-Noor, set in the middle of the front cross. This diamond was acquired by the East India Company after the Anglo-Sikh Wars and presented to Queen Victoria in 1851. It also features a 17-carat (3.4 g) Turkish diamond given to Victoria in 1856 by Sultan Abdulmejid I as thanks for British support in the Crimean War. The Koh-i-Noor entered the Crown Jewels upon Victoria's death in 1901, having been successively mounted in the crowns of Queen Alexandra and Queen Mary before its transfer here. Most other diamonds were sourced from Queen Victoria's Regal Circlet.

Ceremonial Usage and Public Display

Following the death of King George VI, the Queen Mother did not wear the full crown; instead, she wore it as a circlet (minus the arches) at her daughter Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953. In its full form with arches attached, the crown was placed on top of the Queen Mother's coffin during her lying-in-state and funeral in 2002. Today, the piece remains on public display alongside other Crown Jewels in the Jewel House at the Tower of London.

Modern Controversy and Succession Speculation

In September 2022, speculation arose that Queen Camilla might be crowned with this crown. However, controversy surrounding the Koh-i-Noor diamond emerged after the Indian government stated that wearing it would evoke "painful memories of the colonial past." Consequently, on 14 February 2023, it was officially announced that Queen Camilla would be crowned using the Crown of Queen Mary, specifically without the Koh-i-Noor diamond.