Preparing crown for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation

Mar. 20, 1953 - Alterations To The Imperial State Crown. Preparing For the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Alterations are being carried out to the famous Imperial State Crown - the crown that Her Majesty will wear on her drive from Westminster Abbey after the Coronation Ceremony. This crown contains the Second Star of Africa, which is the second largest cut diamond in the world and which weighs more than 300 carats. The work is being carried out by the Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Company at their Regent Street, London, headquarters and extra precautions have to be taken owing to the extreme value of the items handled. The crown has to be altered in shape before every Coronation to fit the head of the new monarch. Keystone Photo Shows Mr H G Goodship a diamond cutter examining the setting of the Black Prince's Ruby in one of the four crosses pattee above the circlet of the crown. The Black Prince's Ruby is lying on the bench on the right with the sections of arches and the diamond mound which surmounts them

Restrictions Only for United Kingdom

Alterations Altered Carats Circlet Contains Crosses Cutter Extra Extreme Goldsmiths Handled Majesty Mound Owing Pattee Precautions Ruby Sections Silversmiths Surmounts Value Weighs

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