It is one of the most symbolic pieces of jewellery in the royal
collection and it took centre stage as Queen Camilla arrived at the
Houses of Parliament for the State Opening of Parliament. This was
one of the most anticipated openings in recent years, coming at a
time of political turmoil, but the febrile atmosphere at
Westminster was put in the shade, briefly, by the dazzling diamond
coronet chosen by The Queen.
This sparkling gem has been a regular at the State Opening for
decades now. Queen Elizabeth II usually wore the diadem for the
procession to and from the Palace of Westminster. Towards the end
of her reign, Her Late Majesty chose to wear this gem throughout
the State Opening while the heavier Imperial State Crown was
instead carried before her into the House of Lords on a red velvet
cushion and placed by the throne as a symbol of royal power.
Since the accession of King Charles III, it’s been worn by Queen
Camilla to the State Opening, the ceremony which marks the official
beginning of the parliamentary session. However, this gem has a
surprising history. For it was originally made for a king.
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The clue is in its name. It is called the George IV State Diadem
by some and it was made, originally, for the ultimate royal style
icon. George IV commissioned this rather exquisite piece of
jewellery for himself.
George IV had the diadem made in 1820 as he finally ascended the
throne after over fifty years as heir to the throne and ten as
regent. The gold and silver frame is decorated with over 1,300
diamonds and its design was rather modern at the time. Around the
central cross, the new king had the gemstones worked into the four
symbols for England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland rather than
traditional heraldic symbols.
It could be seen as a canny move by George who was constantly
criticised for his excessive spending. This diadem, which was worn
by the king on the way to his coronation in 1821, helped to
underline his position at the heart of his new realm. Whether it
made much of an impact is debateable. George was never a popular
king and his excessive spending did little to endear him to his
people or his politicians. On his death, in 1830, the throne passed
to his younger brother who became King William IV.
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The new King William had no intention of following in his
fashion obsessed brother’s footsteps and there was no question of
him wearing the diadem to his coronation. In fact, William was so
oppose to pomp and pageantry that he didn’t even want a coronation
at all and had to be persuaded to take part in one. He chose such a
pared down affair that it became known as the Half Crown-ation and
the Penny Coronation as it was so low key in comparison to that of
George IV. William even wore his naval uniform to the event, hardly
a match for an all diamond coronet.
However, William’s wife became rather fond of the diadem and
began to wear it during her husband’s brief reign. And Queen
Adelaide ensured that this sparkling gem passed into the jewellery
collection marked ”queens only’. Every consort since has worn it as
have the two queens regnant, Victoria and Elizabeth II.
The diadem itself is much lighter than the State Crown but is
still a highly symbolic piece of jewellery. It was also among the
most familiar signs of Elizabeth II’s reign as she was shown
wearing it on the portraits used on stamps and coins in Britain and
the Commonwealth.
Queen Elizabeth II wore the George IV State Diadem to her first
State Opening of Parliament in 1952. Then, the Imperial State Crown
wasn’t an option as her own coronation hadn’t taken place. Queen
Camilla has worn it for every State Opening of her husband’s
reign.
And amidst the ever changing political landscape of Westminster,
it is a constant. And a rather sparkly distraction.
