Queen Elizabeth II, the beloved monarch who ruled the United Kingdom for over 70 years, passed away on September 8, 2022 at the age of 96. As the Queen is laid to rest, many are wondering what jewels and other precious items will be buried with her.
The Queen’s Jewel Collection
During her remarkable reign, Queen Elizabeth amassed an extraordinary collection of jewels and precious gems. Some of these royal jewels were passed down through generations of the British royal family, while others were gifted to the Queen during her time on the throne. In total, the Queen’s jewelry collection is estimated to include over 300 items.
Some of the most famous jewels in the Queen’s collection include:
- The Imperial State Crown – Worn by the Queen at the State Opening of Parliament, this crown features 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, and 269 pearls.
- The Cullinan Diamonds – Cut from the largest diamond ever found, these gems include the 317 carat Cullinan II and the 105 carat Cullinan III.
- The Koh-i-Noor Diamond – A 105 carat diamond with a long history that was acquired by Queen Victoria in 1850.
- The Coronation Necklace – Made for Queen Victoria’s coronation, this diamond necklace has been worn by every Queen at their coronations.
- The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara – A wedding present to Princess Elizabeth from her grandmother Queen Mary.
Which Jewels Might Be Buried With the Queen?
While the full details of the Queen’s burial attire and accoutrements are not yet known, there is much speculation about which jewels and other precious items she may be buried with according to royal tradition.
The Wedding Ring
The most likely jewel to be buried with Queen Elizabeth is her simple golden wedding band that she received on her wedding day when she married Prince Philip in 1947. Following Prince Philip’s passing in 2021, the Queen wore the ring on her left hand along with her diamond engagement ring to honor her late husband. As it was her most constant jewel companion for over 70 years, many believe her wedding ring will accompany the Queen to her final resting place.
Pearl Necklaces
Pearls were said to be the Queen’s favorite gemstone, and she amassed an extensive collection of pearl necklaces during her reign. Royal tradition states that the monarch should be buried with pearls, so it is very probable that one or more of the Queen’s pearl necklaces will be placed with her for the burial.
Likely candidates include her four-strand pearl necklace, three-strand pearl necklace, or the pearl and diamond necklace she inherited from her grandmother Queen Mary. Any of these would be fitting choices to represent the Queen’s love of pearls.
Small Diamond Brooches
Throughout her reign, brooches were an essential part of the Queen’s wardrobe and she had an extensive collection, many of which were gifted to her during royal tours and visits. While the largest and most significant brooches will likely remain in the royal collection, some think she may be buried with a few smaller sentimental diamond brooches.
These could potentially include her palm tree brooch, a gift from the people of Barbados, or one of the small floral brooches she often wore regularly while carrying out public duties.
| Jewel Type | Specific Jewels | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Wedding ring | Simple gold band | Worn for over 70 years of marriage |
| Pearl necklace(s) | 4-strand, 3-strand, or Queen Mary’s pearl/diamond necklace | Royal tradition to be buried with pearls |
| Small brooches | Palm tree brooch, floral brooches | Sentimental brooches worn regularly |
Jewels That Will Remain in the Royal Collection
While the Queen may be buried with some smaller sentimental pieces, the majority of her priceless jewel collection will remain with the royal family and be passed down to future generations. Here are some of the most iconic jewels that are highly unlikely to be buried with the Queen:
The Imperial State Crown
The impressive Imperial State Crown, a powerful symbol of the British monarchy, will remain in theTower of London with the Crown Jewels collection. It will likely be worn by the next monarch at future State Openings of Parliament and coronations.
The Cullinan Diamonds
The legendary Cullinan Diamonds are inseparable from the heritage of the British monarchy and will continue be worn by royal family members for formal occasions. The sheer size and value of these enormous diamonds make them unsuited for burial.
The Coronation Necklace
Made specially for Queen Victoria’s coronation and worn by every Queen at their coronations since, this exquisite diamond necklace is required for future coronations so must go directly to the next monarch.
The Cambridge Emeralds
This suite of emerald jewelry was a gift to Queen Mary from her grandmother, and includes a necklace, earrings, and brooch. As it remains in high demand for loans to royal brides, it is extremely unlikely it would not remain in the collection.
| Jewel | Reason for Remaining in Collection |
|---|---|
| The Imperial State Crown | Necessary for State Openings and future coronations |
| The Cullinan Diamonds | Enormous historical value as part of British monarchy |
| The Coronation Necklace | Required for all future coronations |
| The Cambridge Emeralds | In high demand for loans to royal brides |
Conclusion
Queen Elizabeth II amassed an unparalleled collection of jewels over her 70 year reign, but only a small selection of sentimental pieces are likely to be buried with her. Her wedding ring, pearl necklaces, and small brooches she wore often may accompany the Queen to her final resting place, but the bulk of the crown jewels and most iconic pieces will remain with the royal family as part of Britain’s national heritage. While we may never know the full details of the jewels chosen for her burial, we can be certain that Queen Elizabeth II will be laid to rest with some of her favorite gems that hold special meaning for her.