Article August 24, 1899 Issue

Miscellany

Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, has three crowns, but it is very seldom indeed that she wears one of them. During the long series of functions that accompanied the celebration of her last birthday, for instance, there was only one occasion on which the royal head was graced with a crown. This was the drawing–room which Her Majesty attended. The tiara which the Queen then wore was made nearly forty years ago, and weighs about eight troy ounces. It is a light shell of gold, thickly encrusted with diamonds, there being no less than 2,673 white diamonds and 523 rose brilliants. This was designed for use with the long strip of tulle used as a veil by Her Majesty on State occasions, such as weddings and drawing–rooms. The Queen wears it well back on her head, and it forms a pin to fasten the ceremonial veil, which floats away from it to the hem of the train.

The gold circlet was the successor to the circlet of gold which may be seen in the earlier pictures of the Queen. The jewels in this are very beautiful, being choice diamonds matching perfectly in color. The general effect of the crown is shown in some of the coinage, although the veil was not worn until after the later tiara was adopted. This diadem, and another of similar shape that preceded it, were used when Her Majesty opened and prorogued Parliament. It was also worn during the ceremonies attending the wedding of the princess royal (now the Empress Frederick).

On every occasion on which the Queen visited the House of Lords the State crown was taken out of the regaliaroom in the Tower of London and was borne before Her Majesty on a cushion. Except for this purpose the crown has only left the Tower twice during her reign—once for repair, some part of the setting having become loosened, and once in order to modify the ermine. The queen has never actually worn the State crown since it was placed on her head at her coronation. The crown was made over a century ago, and is kept in the careful custody of the Tower. It includes 2,783 diamonds, 277 pearls, sixteen sapphires, eleven emeralds, and four rubies. M. A. P. Boston Evening Transcript.

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