King George VI

The king who wore the Imperial State Crown made for his coronation in 1937.

King George VI was the monarch for whom the current Imperial State Crown was made in 1937. The crown was created by the jewellers Garrard & Co. as a faithful copy of Queen Victoria's 1838 crown, which had fallen into a poor state of repair. It remains in use today at coronations and State Openings of Parliament. The crown is adorned with 3,170 precious stones, including the 317-carat Cullinan II diamond, St Edward's Sapphire, the Stuart Sapphire, and the Black Prince's Ruby.

Quick Facts

Role: Monarch of the United Kingdom

Lore & Background

For the coronation of King George VI in 1937, a new Imperial State Crown was made by the jewellers Garrard & Co. It was a faithful copy of Queen Victoria's 1838 crown, which had fallen into a poor state of repair. The crown's inner headband was later adjusted and its arches lowered by 1 inch in 1953 for Queen Elizabeth II. The empty frame of Victoria's crown survives in the Royal Collection, and is now on display in the Tower Jewel House, minus its monde and cross which now sit on the current crown.

Reader's Guide

The Imperial State Crown is worn by the monarch on leaving Westminster Abbey at the end of his or her coronation. It is usually also worn at State Openings of Parliament. Usually, it is taken to the Palace of Westminster under armed guard in its own carriage and placed in the Robing Room, where the monarch dons the Robe of State and puts on the crown before giving the speech to Parliament. If a State Opening occurs before a coronation, the crown is placed on a cushion beside the monarch. When not in use, the Imperial State Crown is on public display in the Jewel House at the Tower of London.

Did You Know?

The Black Prince's Ruby on the front cross is actually a large red spinel.
The empty frame of Queen Victoria's 1838 crown survives in the Royal Collection and is on display in the Tower Jewel House.