Queen Elizabeth’s coffin.Photo: DANIEL LEAL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
What is perhapsQueen Elizabeth’s best-known crown was placed on top of her casket as she left her royal residence ofBuckingham Palacefor the last time.
On Wednesday, the coffin of the late Queen, who died on September 8 at age 96 in Scotland, traveled to Westminster Hall in a solemn procession.
According tothe Historical Royal Palace’s website, the Imperial State Crown was originally made for Queen Victoria’s coronation in 1838, and was remade for King Edward II’s coronation in 1937. It’ssimilar in appearance to the St. Edward’s Crowncreated for the coronation of Charles II in 1661, after the original was destroyed under Oliver Cromwell in the mid-17th century when he ordered the abolition of the monarchy.
Queen Elizabeth II in the Throne room at Buckingham Palace after her Coronation in Westminster Abbey.PA Images via Getty
The Queen’s biographer, Robert Lacey, has confirmed that the late monarch found the St. Edward’s crown heavy; she only wore it for a short time during her coronation in 1953, then replaced it with the Imperial State Crown for her departure from Westminster Abbey and the journey back to the palace.
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To make it more comfortable for the then-27-year-old monarch’s coronation,the Imperial State Crown underwent a redesign, an insider previously told PEOPLE.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip on the day of the monarch’s coronation in 1953.The Print Collector/Getty
It contains also the world’s fourth-largest polished diamond.
The 317.4-carat stone in the “brow” of the crown was created from the Cullinan Diamond, a 3,601-carat stone found in Africa in 1905. The stone was later cut into several pieces, with the “Cullinan II” earning a spot in the Imperial State Crown. Additionally,the crown is decorated with four rubies, 11 emeralds, 17 sapphires, 269 pearls and more than 2,500 smaller diamonds.
The crown is normally kept under ultra-monitored guard at the Tower of London, where it is a centerpiece of the Crown Jewels exhibit. When it heads to the palace at the opening of the parliamentary session once a year, keepers leave a note to visitors saying it is in use.
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Wednesday’s procession to honor the late monarch included her four children —King Charles III,Princess Anne,Prince AndrewandPrince Edward— and several of her grandchildren, includingPrince William,Prince Harryand Peter Phillips.
Also taking part were Princess Anne’s husband Sir Tim Laurence, the Queen’s cousin Prince Richard the Duke of Gloucester and the Queen’s nephew David Armstrong-Jones the Earl of Snowdon.
King Charles and Prince William.DANIEL LEAL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Ahead of the gun carriage walked members of the Queen’s household, including pages, her private secretary and other staff members.
Prince William and Prince Harry.Chris Jackson/Getty Images
source: people.com
