The Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom is a collection of sacred objects used in royal ceremonies, especially Coronations. St. Edward's Crown, made in 1661, weighs 2.23 kg! Kids will discover the secret meanings behind these dazzling symbols of monarchy.
Have you ever seen pictures of a king or queen wearing a giant, sparkly crown? What if we told you that the real ones are even cooler—and WAY heavier?
Welcome to the Tower of London (in our imagination, for now!) to look at the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom! This collection is a set of super important, dazzling objects used in royal ceremonies, especially the Coronation where a new monarch is officially crowned. The jewels have a history stretching back almost a thousand years, making them one of the richest expressions of the monarchy! Most of the amazing pieces we see today were actually made for King Charles II’s coronation in 1661 after the old ones were sadly destroyed.
Mira says:
"Wow, Finn! Imagine trying to sit up straight wearing a crown that weighs almost as much as a big bag of sugar! That’s why the Queen sometimes wears a lighter one for big parades!"
What Are the Crown Jewels For Kids?
The Crown Jewels aren't just sparkly accessories; they are symbols of power and the job of being the King or Queen of the United Kingdom. They are kept safe and sound in the Jewel House at the Tower of London.
The collection includes crowns, of course, but also sceptres (fancy sticks!), orbs (golden balls with a cross on top), and even special swords and spoons! Each item has a special meaning, reminding the monarch of their duties, like being the head of the country and the Church of England.
Mind-Blowing Fact!
The oldest item in the entire collection is a tiny, but very important, 12th-century spoon used to anoint the monarch during the sacred part of the coronation ceremony!
Meet the Heaviest Crown: St. Edward's Crown
If you want to meet the royal superstar, it’s St. Edward’s Crown! This is the most important and sacred crown. It is only used for one moment: the actual crowning itself!
The current version was made in 1661 for King Charles II. It’s made of 22-carat gold and is decorated with 444 precious and semi-precious gemstones. It looks super old-fashioned and grand, just like the one the original King Edward the Confessor (who lived way back in the 1000s!) might have worn.
(Nearly 5 pounds!)
(About 12 inches tall)
(During the English Civil War)
(Includes sapphires, rubies, and more)
How Did the Imperial State Crown Get So Many Diamonds?
Because St. Edward’s Crown is so heavy, the monarch wears a different one—the Imperial State Crown—when they leave the Abbey and for other big events like the State Opening of Parliament.
This crown is lighter and has way more famous stones! It’s decorated with 2,868 diamonds, plus sapphires, emeralds, and pearls.
The coolest stones inside are famous for their stories:
The Famous (and Fake) Ruby
Look for the Black Prince's Ruby at the front! Surprise! It’s not actually a ruby—it’s a type of gem called a spinel. Legend says it was worn by King Henry V at the famous Battle of Agincourt!
The Giant Cullinan II Diamond
The Imperial State Crown holds the Cullinan II diamond, which is 317 carats! It came from the biggest diamond ever found—the Cullinan Diamond—which was discovered in South Africa in 1905 and gifted to King Edward VII. Imagine a diamond as big as a plum! The Cullinan II is the second-largest piece cut from that giant rock.
💡 Did You Know?
The Koh-i-Noor diamond (which means 'Mountain of Light') is another famous jewel, weighing over 105 carats! It was given to Queen Victoria by the East India Company in 1849 and is now set in the Crown of the Queen Mother.
🎯 Quick Quiz!
Which heavy crown is ONLY worn at the exact moment the monarch is crowned?
Why Did They Have to Make New Jewels?
If the jewels are so amazing, why don't we have the very first ones? In 1649, during the scary English Civil War, the monarchy was stopped for a while. The new leader, Oliver Cromwell, ordered the old medieval Crown Jewels to be sold or melted down because the new government needed money!
- The Sceptre with Cross: Holds the huge Cullinan I diamond (530 carats—that’s the world’s largest clear-cut diamond!).
- The Sovereign's Orb: A golden globe topped with a cross, showing the monarch's power comes from God.
- The Coronation Spoon: The oldest item, used for the sacred anointing!
- The Imperial State Crown: Worn when leaving the ceremony and at the State Opening of Parliament.
Even though they are priceless because they are so historic and important, the Crown Jewels are kept insured for an estimated $6 billion! They are real, they are used today, and they are definitely the coolest history artifacts you can see for kids!
Questions Kids Ask About British History
Keep Exploring the Kingdom's Treasures!
Wow! From super heavy gold to diamonds bigger than your thumb, the Crown Jewels tell an incredible story about British history. Next time you see a picture of a royal event, you’ll know all about the amazing objects they are using! Tune in next time for more history that’s NOT boring!
