The Crown Jewels up close

The Black Prince’s Ruby

Set in the front cross of the Imperial State Crown, the Black Prince's Ruby is not actually a ruby, but a semi-precious stone called a balas or spinel. 

According to legend, in 1367, the stone was given to Edward the Black Prince, son of King Edward III, by Pedro ‘’the cruel’’, King of Castile, who took the ruby from a Muslim King of Granada.  

King Henry V is said to have worn the stone set in his helmet at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. 

The Stuart Sapphire

The Stuart Sapphire is set at the back of the Imperial State Crown. The stone may have belonged King Charles I, whose son, James II, is said to have smuggled the jewel out of the country when he was deposed during the ‘Glorious Revolution’ of 1688.

The Stuart Sapphire eventually made its way back to England and was set in state crowns since 1838.

The Cullinan II Diamond

The 317.4 carat Cullinan II diamond is set in the front band of the Imperial State Crown. It was the second largest stone cut from the Cullinan Diamond. At 3,106 carats it was the largest diamond ever found.

The government of the Transvaal, in present day north-eastern South Africa, gave the uncut Cullinan diamond to Edward VII on his 66th birthday in 1907. The gift was intended to symbolise good relations between England and South Africa after the South African war (sometimes called the Anglo-Boer War.)

St Edward’s Sapphire

According to legend, St Edward’s Sapphire was taken from the ring of Edward the Confessor, when his body was moved to a new shrine in the 12th century.

St Edward was the 11th century king whose crown was said to be used at English coronations before its destruction in 1649.