The Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom are some of the most iconic and valuable jewels in the world. They consist of crowns, scepters, orbs, swords, rings, and other regalia that are used in the coronations of British monarchs and are symbols of the British monarchy’s power and longevity. Given their immense cultural, symbolic, and monetary value, the fate of the Crown Jewels after the death of Queen Elizabeth II is a subject of great interest and speculation.
What are the Crown Jewels?
The Crown Jewels comprise 140 items in the official royal collection kept in the Tower of London. They include some of the most famous jewels in the world, such as:
- St Edward’s Crown – the crown placed on the monarch’s head at coronation
- Imperial State Crown – worn at State Openings of Parliament
- Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross – symbol of the monarch’s temporal power
- Sovereign’s Orb – symbol of the monarch’s Christian faith
- Swords of Offering – presented to the monarch at coronation
- Armills – bracelets symbolizing sincerity and wisdom
- The Koh-i-Noor Diamond – mounted in the Queen Mother’s Crown
- Cullinan I-IV Diamonds – cut from the Cullinan diamond and set in scepters and crowns
The Crown Jewels comprise some of the most valuable diamonds in the world. Their total value is estimated to be around £3-5 billion.
Who owns the Crown Jewels?
The Crown Jewels are not the personal property of the monarch. Instead, they belong to the Crown, which refers to the Sovereign as a corporation sole – the incorporation of the incumbent monarch separate from their personal self. This means that the Crown Jewels are passed from one monarch to the next, as part of the Office of the Sovereign.
The Crown Jewels are maintained by the Keeper of the Jewel House at the Tower of London, on behalf of the Crown. The Queen does not own them in a personal capacity. Their ownership is separate from the Queen’s personal jewelry and wealth.
What happens to the Crown Jewels when the monarch dies?
When Queen Elizabeth II dies, the Crown Jewels will pass to the next monarch immediately. As they belong to the Office of the Sovereign, not Elizabeth II personally, the Crown Jewels cannot be willed or inherited by the Queen’s successors. There is no gap in ownership or possession of the jewels.
Upon ascending to the throne, the new monarch – likely King Charles III upon Queen Elizabeth II’s death – will inherit the Crown Jewels and assume ownership of them in an official capacity. The jewels will be used at the new monarch’s coronation and Accession Council.
Will the Crown Jewels be at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral?
It is likely that some of the Crown Jewels will be present at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, as symbols of her reign and the British monarchy. However, they will not be buried with her. The Imperial State Crown may rest on top of her coffin during her funeral.
After her funeral, the Crown Jewels will be safely returned to secure storage at the Tower of London until required for the Accession Council and coronation of her successor.
Could Crown Jewels be sold or given away?
It is extraordinarily unlikely that the iconic historic Crown Jewels would ever be permanently sold or given away by a reigning monarch. The core, most important Crown Jewels are integral to the identity and function of the British monarchy, and selling them would generate public outrage. Even less significant items are unlikely to be sold.
Queen Elizabeth II cannot sell or give away the Crown Jewels during her lifetime because she does not personally own them – they belong to the Sovereign as a corporation sole. Any theoretical decision to sell or transfer ownership of Crown Jewels would have to be made by the next monarch, and would be unprecedented.
Could Crown Jewels be stolen after the Queen’s death?
It is highly improbable that the Crown Jewels would be stolen in the period between Queen Elizabeth II’s death and the accession of her successor. They are closely guarded at the Jewel House in the Tower of London by Yeomen Warders and sophisticated security systems. The Tower itself is a secure fortress.
Stealing the Crown Jewels would be extremely difficult due to the multiple layers of security protecting them, including armed guards, CCTV, alarms, and reinforced glass cases. Any attempt would be met with an immediate armed response by guards and the London Metropolitan Police.
Will Camilla use the Crown Jewels?
As the wife of King Charles III, Camilla will likely wear pieces from the Crown Jewels collection. However, she will not wear the most important ‘principal’ Crown Jewels that are worn only by the monarch, such as St Edward’s Crown.
Lesser Crown Jewels such as queen consort crowns, robes, rings and bracelets will likely be worn by Camilla at the coronation and on formal occasions as appropriate. But she would not wear the principal Crown regalia reserved for the Sovereign.
Could Meghan Markle ever use the Crown Jewels?
As Meghan Markle is no longer a working member of the Royal Family after stepping back from her senior role, it is very unlikely she would have occasion to wear or use the historic British Crown Jewels.
Even when she was a senior royal, the Crown Jewels are traditionally only used by the monarch, the monarch’s spouse, and the Prince of Wales’s spouse in preparation for becoming monarch. As the wife of a more junior royal, Meghan was not permitted to wear Crown Jewels during her time as a working member of the Royal Family.
It would be unprecedented for non-working members of the Royal Family to have access to the priceless Crown Jewels to wear.
Will Kate Middleton wear the Crown Jewels when Charles is King?
Once Prince William becomes heir apparent as the eldest son of the monarch upon Charles ascending the throne, his wife Kate Middleton will likely have access to some of the historic Crown Jewels.
As the wife of the heir, Kate may wear queen consort crowns and symbolic jewels such as rings and bracelets on appropriate occasions. However, she will likely not wear the principal Crown regalia reserved for the ruling Sovereign and their spouse.
This would be in preparation for Kate herself potentially wearing the principal Crown Jewels at a future coronation alongside William, once he becomes King after Charles’s death.
Could the Crown Jewels collection be added to in future?
It is possible for the Crown Jewels collection to be added to by future monarchs, but any significant changes or additions are uncommon.
The core, iconic Crown Jewels tend to remain stable over time. Most additions in modern times have been accessories like rings and bracelets to be worn alongside the main Crown regalia at coronations and formal events.
Any monarch wishing to make notable additions or changes to the Crown Jewels would likely meet controversy and accusations of disrespecting tradition. So while it is legally possible, big changes do not happen often.
Conclusion
The Crown Jewels are an enduring, priceless symbol of the British monarchy that will pass to King Charles upon Queen Elizabeth II’s death. They will remain kept safe at the Tower of London and be used at the new King’s coronation. It is highly unlikely any will be sold, given away, stolen or significantly altered. Small accessories may be added over time, but the core Crown Jewels will remain intact as icons of royal history, power and mystery.
