< Historic Diamonds / Royal Stories
All The Historical Diamonds Seen At The Coronation of King Charles III
A sparkling hurrah for the most historical diamonds! Royals from all over the world wore natural diamonds for the historic coronation of King Charles III.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during their Coronation on May 6, 2023, in London, England. (Getty Images)
The Royal Family of the British Isles, and aristocracy from around the world who attended the coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey, were a lot less lavish than the guests who attended the coronation of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, seventy years ago in 1953.
The dress code stipulated hats rather than tiaras, and even Catherine, Princess of Wales, wore a headpiece set with rhinestones rather than diamonds, albeit being utterly exquisite.
Royal historian Jessica Storoschuk told Page Six Style that the decision didn’t come as a surprise. “Given that Charles is aiming for a modern coronation, it would make sense that he would choose a formal day dress code which does not include tiaras,” she said. Storoschuk added that it’s “very possible” that other family members will forgo tiaras as well.
Meet the Expert
- Josie Goodbody is a jewelry historian, novelist, and communications specialist with a passion for storytelling and the world of high jewelry.
- Goodbody is the author of the Jemima Fox mystery series, blending intrigue with dazzling jewels, and her work has appeared in the Daily Mail and Rapaport.
However, there was still a lot of magnificent diamond jewelry worn at the first coronation of a British monarch this millennium.
King Charles III Wore the Imperial State Crown For His Coronation
Five diamonds from the largest diamond in the world were in pride of place at the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The Cullinan Diamond was discovered in 1905 and given to the King’s great-great-grandfather in 1907 for his 66th birthday after the Boer War. It was subsequently and painstakingly cut into nine flawless diamonds. The Great Star of Africa—the largest at 530 carats—has been set in the Sovereign’s Sceptre since 1911, whilst the second largest, the Cullinan II, is in the Imperial State Crown.
The Imperial State Crown was created for the coronation of George VI in 1937 by Garrard and is probably the most significant gem-set piece of regalia in the world. This is thanks to more than a handful of historically weighty gemstones, including 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, and 269 pearls.
Out of the 2,868 diamonds, one is of particular importance with a story we know is absolutely not a legend. The enormous cushion-shaped diamond, at the front of the band, is the Cullinan II; it was given to Edward VII two years after being discovered in Thomas Cullinan’s Premier mine in South Africa. It is still the largest and most spectacular diamond ever found.
Queen Camilla Wore Queen Mary’s Crown For the Coronation
Alongside her husband, the Queen Consort donned Queen Mary’s Crown, chosen from the Royal Collection’s Queen Consort Crowns.
The infamous Koh-i-Noor, which had been set at the center of the crown by Garrard, was removed and replaced with the Cullinan V heart-shaped diamond brooch. The Cullinan III and IV were also set in the 1910 crown, in honor of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who so often wore them as a brooch, known as Granny’s Chips. Queen Camilla also carried items of regalia such as sceptres and a ring.
While she opted out of wearing the Coronation pear-shaped diamond earrings, Queen Camilla replaced the classic choice with different diamond drop earrings. She did, however, wear the traditional Coronation Necklace for the grand occasion. Made for Queen Victoria, the necklace was crafted from diamonds that originated from a Garter badge and sword hilt. The necklace was worn by Queen Alexandra, Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, and Queen Elizabeth II at their coronations. Camilla kept tradition alive by wearing them to the 2023 coronation.
The King and Queen then left the Abbey, wearing their crowns, and proceeded back to the Palace, followed by the rest of the Royal Family.
The Princess of Wales Wore Princess Diana’s Earrings to the Coronation of King Charles III
Catherine, Princess of Wales, attended King Charles’ coronation, wearing the George VI Festoon Necklace, which was a gift from King George VI for his daughter, then-Princess Elizabeth. She wore an exquisite pair of Princess Diana’s pearl and diamond earrings that she has worn several times before.
The earrings showcase a circular crescent diamond design accented with dangling pearls, though the pearls themselves are detachable. Kate Middleton replaced the round South Sea pearls Diana once wore with elongated drops taken from another pair of Diana’s earrings. British jeweler and pearl specialist Claudia Bradby explained to People magazine, “These pearls look more elegant and more in proportion to the diamond element.”
Here, Only Natural Diamonds takes a deeper look at the most diamond-clad attendees of the coronation of King Charles III.
Princess Eugenie Wore Garrard Diamonds to the Coronation of King Charles III
Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie wore Garrard jewelry to her uncle’s coronation, specifically the Albemarle white gold and diamond collar necklace and matching white gold and diamond drop earrings.
Princess Beatrice Wore Garrard Jewels to the Coronation of King Charles III
Her sister, HRH Princess Beatrice, wore Garrard’s Blaze pink sapphire, rubellite, and pink opal earrings.
Zara Tindall Wore Heirloom Diamonds to the Coronation of King Charles III
Mrs. Zara Tindall, daughter of Princess Anne and niece of the King wore her mother’s diamond bow and tassel brooch, given to the Princess by the King for her wedding in 1973, accompanied by a pair of Calleja Neiva diamond earrings.
Carole Middleton Wore Garrard Diamonds to the Coronation of King Charles III
Carole Middleton (mother of Kate Middleton) wore a Garrard 1735 sapphire and diamond jeweled vault pendant and drop earrings.
Queen Letizia of Spain Wore Diamond Earrings to the Coronation of King Charles III
Queen Letizia of Spain wore a pair of diamond earrings featuring a large central diamond surrounded by 12 smaller round diamonds.
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden Wore a Diamond Rivière Necklace to the Coronation of King Charles III
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden accompanied her father, King Carl-Gustaf, and wore a beautiful diamond riviere necklace, diamond and sapphire set flower earrings and a family honour set with diamonds.
Queen Suthida of Thailand Wore Diamonds and Sapphires to the Coronation of King Charles III
Queen Suthida of Thailand was resplendent in a large diamond and sapphire necklace and earrings.
The Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani of Qatar Wore Diamond Chandelier Earrings to the Coronation of King Charles III
The Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani of Qatar wore large diamond chandelier earrings and diamond rings, including a massive marquise-cut diamond ring.
Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah of Malaysia Wore a Diamond Festoon Necklace to the Coronation of King Charles III
Her Majesty Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah of Malaysia wore a yellow ochre baju kurung and kain with a head scarf. She wore a superb, deep diamond-set festoon necklace with several diamond brooches.
Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan Wore Diamond and Emerald Drop Earrings to the Coronation of King Charles III
Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan wore diamond and emerald earrings.
Princess Lalla Meryem of Morocco Wore Diamonds and Rubies to the Coronation of King Charles III
Princess Lalla Meryem of Morocco wore a gorgeous pair of diamond and ruby earrings.
Queen Mathilde of Belgium Wore Diamonds and Pearls to the Coronation of King Charles III
Queen Mathilde of Belgium wore an elegant seven strand pearl choker with diamond set bands, a pair of diamond and pearl earrings and a late Victorian (1900) platinum and grey gold diamond set butterfly brooch that she also wore at the funeral of Her late Majesty in September.
Crown Princess Marie Chantal of Greece Wore a Diamond Brooch to the Coronation of King Charles III
Crown Princess Marie Chantal of Greece wore a diamond brooch designed as a crown and diamond drop earrings.
Queen Anne-Marie of Greece Wore Pearls and Diamonds to the Coronation of King Charles III
Queen Anne-Marie of Greece wore diamond and pearl earrings, a pearl necklace, and a diamond brooch in the shape of a swan.
Lionel Richie Wore Garrard Diamonds to the Coronation of King Charles III
As for the celebrities, Lionel Richie performed on Sunday night at the Coronation Concert, held at Windsor Castle, and wore a spectacular diamond set brooch by Garrard for his early appearance in the Abbey for King Charles’s Coronation.
Pretty Yende Wore Graff Diamonds to the Coronation of King Charles III
South African soprano Pretty Yende, who was the first African national to sing solo at a coronation, was sumptuously spectacular in 173 carats of Graff yellow and white diamonds during her performance at Westminster Abbey. Francois Graff said, “We are honored to have played a part in this auspicious occasion that will be watched by the world and remembered forever.” Yende wore a spectacular yellow gown by Stephane Rolland.
