The Crown Jewels, Explained
Two crowns, a sceptre and an orb — a guide to the dazzling working regalia of the British monarchy, and where to see it.
Behind glass at the Tower of London sits one of the most extraordinary collections of treasure on earth: the Crown Jewels. They are not museum relics but working regalia, used in the great ceremonies of the monarchy — and each piece carries centuries of meaning.
St Edward’s Crown
The most sacred of all is St Edward’s Crown, used at the very moment of coronation. Made of solid gold and set with hundreds of gemstones, it is famously heavy — worn only briefly, for the crowning itself. It is the crown you picture when you picture a coronation.
The Imperial State Crown
Lighter and even more glittering is the Imperial State Crown, worn as the monarch leaves the coronation and at occasions such as the State Opening of Parliament. It blazes with some of the collection’s most storied stones and is, for most people, the most familiar crown of all.
The Sceptre and the Orb
Alongside the crowns are the Sovereign’s Sceptre, which holds one of the largest cut diamonds in the world, and the Sovereign’s Orb, a golden globe topped with a cross — a symbol that the monarch’s power is rooted in the Christian world. Together they are placed in the sovereign’s hands during the coronation.
Where to see them
The Crown Jewels are on public display at the Tower of London, guarded by the Yeoman Warders and viewed by millions every year. Seeing them in person — the sheer, almost unreal sparkle of them — is one of the great experiences of royal London.
The Crown Jewels are cared for by Historic Royal Palaces; check the Tower of London’s official website for current visiting information.
