Crown of George IV Miniature British Crown Jewels

Crown of George IV Miniature British Crown Jewels

Item Ref: 28025
Our price: £22.50

When the Prince Regent became King in 1820 he immediately started planning his 'intended gorgeous and extravagant coronation', and in particular the design of a new coronation crown. The King wanted to replace the fleurs-de-lis traditionally featuring on English crowns, with the patriotic symbols of the thistle, rose and shamrock, but these emblems were dropped from his plans when the College of Heralds objected.  The gold and silver crown, designed by Rundell, Bridge and Rundell, was constructed of innovative open settings that made the frame almost invisible behind the diamonds, making one courtier say it made the monarch look like 'some flamboyant bird of the east.'   The crown was encrusted with 12,314 diamonds, most of which were hired from Rundells at the cost of 10% of their value for each year of their loan.  The arches took the form of oak leaves and acorns, features that have been retained on subsequent state crowns. After two years of trying to persuade the Government to buy the diamonds so the crown could become 'a permanent crown in lieu of the old one', the King finally agreed to their return.  George IV was the last Sovereign to hire stones for his Coronation. The frame, without the diamonds can be seen at the Tower of London.
Caroline of Brunswick the estranged wife of the King, was prevented from entering Westminster Abbey for her Coronation by prize fighters dressed as pages. They had been hired by her vengeful husband who feared she would make a scene at his Coronation  Between the King's efforts and a general lack of support from the crowd she was unable to effect an entry into either Westminster Abbey or Hall.

Base metal: Lead free Pewter silver toned, velvet hat, Swarovski ELEMENTS

This product comes with a Gift box and romance story card.

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