Queen Camillais dazzling in a crown — just like queens to come before her.
Queen Camilla joinedKing Charlesat the first State Opening of Parliament to take place during his reign on Tuesday. While King Charles wore theImperial State Crownduring the ceremony (marking hisfirst time wearing a crown since his coronationin May), his wife was sparkling in the Diamond Diadem for the first time.
Also known as the George IV State Diadem, the headpiece was made for the coronation of King George IV in 1820 — and it’s what the monarch wore (along with a large purple velvet cap) on his way to Westminster Abbey for his crowning ceremony.
JUSTIN TALLIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
The accessory was closely associated with Queen Elizabeth, King Charles' mother who died in Sept. 2022. She wore the Diamond Diadem for the first time in public at her first State Opening of Parliament in 1952 (before she was formally crowned at her coronation). At her coronation in June 1953, Queen Elizabeth wore the headpiece on her way to Westminster Abbey for the crowning ceremony.
Queen Elizabeth also wore the diadem on the way to most State Openings of Parliament (though she swapped it for the Imperial State Crown for the service) and in photographs including those used for British and Commonwealth coinage, banknotes and postage stamps.
Queen Elizabeth wears the Diamond Diadem at the 2002 State Opening of Parliament.Pool Photograph/Corbis/Corbis via Getty
Pool Photograph/Corbis/Corbis via Getty
The Diamond Diadem is set with 1,333 diamonds, including a four-carat pale yellow brilliant in the center of the front cross, according to theRoyal Collection Trust, while the band is set with pearls. There are four crosses alternating with four sprays representing the national emblems of England (roses), Ireland (shamrocks) and Scotland (thistles).
Queen Elizabeth wearing the Diamond Diadem on Nov. 4, 1952.Douglas Miller/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty
Douglas Miller/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty
Queen Camilla wears the Diamond Diadem for the first time at the State Opening of Parliament on Nov. 7, 2023.Leon Neal/Getty Images
Leon Neal/Getty Images
King Charles previouslywore the Imperial State Crownat his coronation on May 6. Although he was officially crowned with the St. Edward’s Crown, which is only used to crown a new king or queen during the coronation ceremony, he swapped it for the Imperial State Crown toward the end of the service.
The Imperial State Crown, which dates back to the 1937 coronation of King George VI, is made of gold and set with 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, 269 pearls, and four rubies.
King Charles and Queen Camilla at the State Opening of Parliament on Nov. 7, 2023.Leon Neal/Getty Images
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Since Queen Elizabeth’s death, Queen Camilla hassported a number of accessoriesclosely related to the late monarch.
Last month, Queen Camilla visited Mansion House with King Charles totake part in longstanding traditionsmarking a new monarch’s first visit to the City of London (the historic square mile that joins 32 boroughs to make up Greater London) in their coronation year. The outing marked a royal first as shemade her debut in the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara. Queen Elizabeth wore the accessory numerous times throughout her 70 years on the throne, including in depictions of her on some British and Commonwealth banknotes and coins.
At the same event, Queen Camilla wore her mother-in-law’s sparkling necklace and bracelet set that the late royal received as a 21st birthday gift. The then-Princess Elizabeth marked the milestone occasion in South Africa, and in a speech broadcast from Cape Town, she dedicated her life to the service of the Commonwealth.
King Charles and Queen Camilla at the State Opening of Parliament on Nov. 7, 2023.KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
source: people.com
