Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-06-13
yICToRIA's THREE CROWNS.
Has Only Worn the state Crown or
Grent britain Once I'm Her Life.


The only crown that is likely to be
used during the stately functions Of the
commemoratlon is the tiara which Is
familiar to this generation in sketches
Of the Queen when holding a drawing
room. This was manufactured by the
State jewellers in 1852 at the personal
cost OF her Majesty, and, in general
terms, may be said to weigh eight troy
ounces. 1t is a light shell Of gold, en-
tlrely incrusted with diamonds, and
comprises 2,67S brllliants, besides 523
rose diamonds, making an aggregate OF
1886 stones. 1t is retained in the charge
of the Sovereign, Of whom it is a per-
sonal possession, and TO all intents and
purposes never requires any attention.
1t was specifically devised for use in
conjunction with a veil, and, apart from
the drawng-rooms, has scarcely been
used at all.
This crown was preceded in point OF
time by a diadem or circlet OF gold,
choicely bejewelled, which was made Tor
the Queen in 1853. The stones used on
this occasion, which are wholly dia-
monds, were in the main crown jewels,
and the diadem Will therefore remain
the property of the Crown, although the
cost Of mounting them for the use OF
her Majesty was borne out Of the privy
purse. This diadem is technically
known as a circlet, surmounted by the
cross patee whereof the Maltese cross
IS a decoration varianD and the fieur-
de-lls. The general effect Of this crown
is excellently shown In the current
Il Tt. L..NI 90 IN ITE
by a veil, which was not worn in the
earlier years OF the reign, when this
form of circlet was in ordinary use; and
indeed, there would seem 10 be some
doubt as to whether the particular form
of coronet depicted on the present coin
issues has ever been adopted by the
Queen in actual use at ALL 1t was this
diadem, and another of a like shape
that preceded 1t, which were used when
her Majesty opened or prorogued Par
Lament, and also on such occasions as
the marriage of the Princess Royal.
On every occasion on which the Queen
visited the House OF Lords the State
crown was taken out OF the regaua
room in the Tower Of London and was
borne before her on a cushion. Except
for this purpose the crown has only leit
the tower on two occasions during the
reign--once for repair (some part OF the
setting having become loosened) and
once in order to modify the ermine.
The crown has never been actually worn
by the Queen at any function what
ever since the act OF coronation sixty
years ago, and there is nothing in the
episodes OF the forthcoming commemo-
ration that will require It's removal
from tho tower. The State crown was
of made for the Queen by Messrs. Run
dell a. Bridge Qhe predecessors OF Gar
rards. the present holders Of the APP
pointmenD, and its construction Is fa-
millar history. Ii may. however be IN
teresting at this juncture TO say that
the estimated value at that time or
its stones-comprislng 2,7S diamonds.
217 pearls. IS saphires. II emeralds. and
4 rubies-was fll2,7co. apart from the
priceless ruby which belonged TO Ed
ward. the Black Prince. and the large
sapphire purchased by George ~. In
the opinion OF competent experts the
stones still have an intrinsic worth OF
like sum, even IL no account be taken
of the value that would attach to their
ulustrioa1a associationa-