Buckingham Palace's Decision on Queen Camilla's Coronation Crown Sparks Controversy

Buckingham Palace recently announced that Queen Camilla, the consort of King Charles, will be wearing Queen Mary's crown during the Coronation on May 6, 2023. The crown will be undergoing modification work, and one of the issues that stirred controversy was the Koh-i-Nûr diamond. The diamond was originally set in the crown's focal point, but it has since been replaced due to the controversies surrounding its history.

The Koh-i-Nûr diamond was brought to the UK by the former East India Company and was part of Queen Victoria's collection. The diamond's origins and how it came to be in British hands have sparked controversies, with some Indians calling for its return due to colonization and people from Pakistan and Afghanistan exerting ownership claims over the jewel. Prior to Queen Mary's coronation crown in 1911, the diamond had been part of the coronation crown of Queen Alexandra in 1902.

Queen Mary's crown, which was originally crafted by Garrard and had 2,800 diamonds, was previously worn by the Queen Mother in King George VI's coronation in 1937. Modifications are currently being made to the crown, including resetting the Cullinan III, IV, and V diamonds from Queen Elizabeth II's personal collection, which she often wore as brooches. Four arches will also be removed from the crown.

This is the first time that a Queen Consort's crown has been reused since the 18th century. Buckingham Palace typically commissions a new crown for each Queen Consort. While some changes have been made to the crown, the controversy surrounding the Koh-i-Nûr diamond highlights the complicated history and politics of the Crown Jewels.

Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth on Coronation Day 1937