On Saturday, we saw the continuation of a tradition that has survived over 100 years. Since 1902, Queen consorts have worn the coronation necklace to, you guessed it, coronations! Let's take a look at the necklace and it's incredible history.
1858, the King of Hanover won the claim to the ownership of Queen Charlotte's jewels, subsequently a substantial portion of Queen Victoria's jewellery had to be dismantled so the Hanoverian stones could be returned.
Unfortunately for Victoria this included Queen Charlotte's diamond necklace, which Victoria wore often. The Queen decided to replace it, and the original 28 diamonds for the new necklace, which was made later that year by R. & S. Garrard & Co.
The new necklace was a favourite of Victoria's and it is often seen in portraits, notably in the 1859 state portrait by Franz Xaver Winterhalter.
Since Queen Victoria's death in 1901, the necklace has been worn by each Queen at their coronations. This is how it became known as the coronation necklace
The first to wear the necklace was Queen Alexandra, wife of king Edward VII, in 1902.
In 1911, Queen Mary had two stones removed from the necklace to be made into earrings and replaced by three other stones. For the 1937 coronation, the large diamond, known as the Lahore Diamond pendant, was slightly re-cut and temporarily set in Queen Elizabeth's new crown, but was afterwards returned to the necklace. Queen Elizabeth II had the necklace reduced by four stones before wearing it to her own coronation in 1953. She later wore the necklace for various events throughout her reign.
On 6th May 2023, Queen Camilla, wife of King Charles Ill, wore the necklace for the first time at her own coronation. Although at first it may have been strange seeing her wear the piece that had often been worn by Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, it was amazing to see this century long tradition continued.
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