Camilla to wear Queen Mary's crown at King Charles' coronation

14 February 2023, 15:19 | Updated: 16 February 2023, 09:57

Camilla will wear Queen Mary's crown at King Charles' coronation "in the interests of sustainability and efficiency".

The crown has been removed from display at the Tower of London to be modified ahead of the ceremony in the spring.

Camilla, who had to cancel engagements this week after testing positive for Covid-19, will wear the crown in the interests of sustainability and efficiency, Buckingham Palace said.

It will be the first time in nearly three hundred years that an existing crown will be used for the coronation of a consort as opposed to a new commission being made.

The Palace said: “The choice of Queen Mary’s crown by her majesty is the first time in recent history that an existing crown will be used for the coronation of a consort instead of a new commission being made, in the interests of sustainability and efficiency.”

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It was originally commissioned for the coronation of Mary of Teck as Queen Consort at the coronation King Charles' great-grandfather King George V in 1911.

Some additions and changes will be made to the ornamental headdress by the Crown Jeweller.

This is in keeping with the tradition that, especially for the occasion, jewels are inserted uniquely and to reflect the individual style of the wearer.

The crown will also pay tribute to the Queen Elizabeth II as it will be reset with the Cullinan III, IV and V diamonds, which the late monarch were often worn as brooches.

In addition, four of the crown's eight detachable arches will also be removed, making the silhouette different from when it was worn by Queen Mary 1911.

Modifications are already complete on St Edward's Crown, which will be used for the coronation of King Charles.