Why see the Crown Jewels?
They are a working collection
They are the greatest working collection of Crown Jewels in the world and priceless symbols of British monarchy (watch for the ‘in use’ signs).
As ceremonial and symbolic objects, the Crown Jewels have been associated for centuries with the coronation of English Kings and Queens.
The current display of the Crown Jewels was opened at the Tower of London in 1994 by the present monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. Commonly referred to as the Regalia, the Queen's Crown Jewels include a number of magnificent items, including;
- Crowns of Sovereigns, Consorts and Princes of Wales (both past and present)
- Sceptres
- Orbs
- Rings
- Swords
- Spurs
- Bracelets
- Robes
They include the world’s most famous diamonds
The enormous Cullinan I and the notorious Koh-i-Noor are part of the collection that numbers 23,578 in total.
Be dazzled by the 23,578 gems that make up the Crown Jewels, including the glistening Imperial State Crown, which alone has 2,868 diamonds, 273 pearls, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds and 5 rubies.
This astonishing collection of priceless Coronation Regalia has been an unmissable highlight of any visit since the 17th century, with only one attempt to steal them…
Find out about the unsettled history of the Crown Jewels
The fact that any of the Queen's Crown Jewels remain intact is astonishing considering their past...
- It is believed that King John lost the Crown Jewels in 1216
- Edward III (1327 - 1377) used the Crown Jewels as collateral to pay his troops
- Henrietta Maria, the wife of Charles I, pawned the Crown Jewels at the beginning of the Civil War
- Oliver Cromwell ordered the Crown Jewels to be broken up, symbolising the destruction of the
monarchy
They stole the Crown Jewels!
The Crown Jewels were nearly stolen in 1671. The dashing and impudent Irishman Colonel Blood almost carried out a successful raid on the Jewel House.
Having knocked the Jewel House keeper on the head with a mallet, he squashed the arches of Charles II’s state crown so as to hide it under his cloak.
He was only discovered at the last moment.
Read more about Blood's attempt to steal the Crown Jewels.
