Restoring Britain's Crowns 

The crown restoration was one of my favorite parts of the documentary that aired about the Coronation year. They did and excellent job. Thanks Allen

Closeup shots really enhance the story and emphasize the artistry of the jewelers. Thank you.

Allan, I'm a history student, I adore all of your videos. I'm fascinated by our country's history. A soft spot particularly are the crown jewels; I love items or places (like the crown jewels, personal possessions or buildings like Westminster Abbey) where you are looking at/holding a piece of the past, or walking across the stones, in the same space and near-enough same view as our ancestors. London is brilliant for it, though I feel just as much excitement exploring my grandfather's loft at generations of belongings. For my eighteenth birthday, I received my long passed great-great grandfather's pocketwatch (dated about 1903) with an 1817 sovereign attached to the chain - my own little 'crown jewel'. Things like that positively connect us to the past- and I feel this way when seeing the crown jewels so up close and personal.

I've always thought of the crowns as being circular, but seeing them without the caps of maintenance, it was a surprise to see that they are head-shaped.

It’s easy to forget just how big the Cullinan diamonds are. But when you see the C2 removed from the crown and in a hand like that it, really puts it into perspective, it’s enormous! And the C1 is even bigger!

Fascinating video. As an American, I have no concept of a monarchy, but your videos have helped me begin to understand the sense of history behind the Crown Jewels. The level of craftsmanship from the 17th through the 21st century is also astounding.

This was such a fascinating video! These artisans are truly gifted. They handle these delicate and precious objects with such skill that when they're done everything looks perfect! Thank you for posting this.

Fascinating, thank you for documenting the history of the craftsmanship behind this priceless work of art.

I do agree with you, if they were going to be interventionists and remove half the arches from the queen's crown for some obscure reason that escapes me they should have raised the king's to an equivalent height. Those squared shoulders look rather as though someone sat on it by mistake.

Thank you for your binge-worthy channel, AB! It's a real treat. It must be a humungous honour for a goldsmith/jeweller to be chosen and named Crown Jeweller, as otherwise, the Sovereign and the Archbishop of Canterbury are the only ones who can handle the crown. Having said that, however, I agree with you that the arches on the Imperial State Crown were not adjusted to suit KC3's height. To me, the ISC looked like it barely sat on the king's head and the arches squashed. There were no opportunities to do fittings with bands of thick paper to get the measurements right.

A very interesting video thank you 😊

Fascinating! Thank you once again for your hard work and delightful posts.

Even though I joke about the British Monarchy (being American), I do find it very interesting all of the history and all the work that goes into preparations for the crowning of the new King & Queen. Nobody does pomp and circumstance like the Brits!!

Allen, please indulge this rather esoteric contradiction to one moment from your narrative: At one point you mention that St. Edward's Crown is made of "solid gold," suggesting that the content is pure 24 karat. However, during the original BBC video, Martin Swift states that the crown is made of 18 karat gold. Pure 24 karat gold is not only significantly heavier than 18 karat gold (100% gold vs. 75% gold) but it possesses the highest golden appearance a gold object can display. Anyone who has seen and handled pure gold jewelry will appreciate this distinction. This is a small point, but as a lifelong American Anglophile, jeweler, and Graduate Gemologist (GIA), these previously unknown details of the Crown regalia fascinate me, and I also suspect fascinate many of your viewers. Thank you again for your tireless research and production of world class educational content.

Absolutely fascinating, thank you sir. 🙏🙏🙏👵🇦🇺

This was wonderful. But your content always is! ❤😊

I loved this so much. My favorite part of the Coronation documentary was the section on the Crowns. "In a secret undisclosed location " 😄 Thanks Dr. Barton.🤴👸

Great history I fully enjoyed ❣️❤️❣️

Allan, as always, an interesting video and as someone who knows not a lot about the crowns and how they are worn, your explanations are spot on. Thank you for this video.

Thank you, Allan!

Thank you for an enlightening and interesting history of the royal crowns! I always learn so much from your videos.

This was a lovely run trough of the crowns and processes, have a lovely day

What a great video. So fascinating to watch this. Thank you!

Another info-packed video. Thank you again! Like the crowns, your videos are most valuable.

What a lovely video. Thank you.

My direct ancestor Francis Grose , jeweller, fashioned the crown for George 111 coronation 1761.

Fascinating to see the crown dismantled.

I think it's a pity that they didn't retain the pieces removed from St Edward's crown in 1911. If they had done so, then in 2023 the original pieces could have been put back in, instead of needing new ones to be made. Also, if they did not keep the bits taken out of the state crown's arches in 1953 in order to lower them, that might go some way to explaining why the arches were not raised again in 2023, as presumably new bits would have needed to be made, and (to judge from the pictures of the removed bits) that would probably have been quite expensive at a time when there was great pressure to cut costs.

Very interesting exploration of the crowns used in fairly recent times. I agree, the crown worn by King Charles looked rather flat, especially when he was next to Queen Camilla and the crown did look too big at Queen Elizabeth's coronation. Did the king make the decision himself? Outstanding renovation work by the Imperial jewellers! Thanks as always Allan!

Really interesting, and I learnt a lot. Thanks

@tested has to see this!

I enjoyed this video Allan. I saw the BBC documentary but your video was also very enjoyable. I appreciate your emphasis that the regalia are not museum pieces and not mere artefacts. Mr. Swift has nerves of steel! Long may the coronations continue with the return of the peers and peeresses of the realm! What crown will be used for Prince William's investiture as Prince of Wales? I hope it is not the one King Charles III used. That crown is of an "iffy" design.

Fascinating video!

The women in teal holding the sword throughout the service almost stole the show! She looked and carried herself magnificently. U know she wholds a high position in Parliament.

Thanks!

Coming back to this wonderful video with a brainstorm: I visited the Jewel House for the first time a few months after the coronation of Charles III, so only have ever seen Queen Mary's Crown with Queen Camilla's adjustments. Mary's crown was initially set with the Koh-i-Noor, and after it was placed in Queen Elizabeth's 1937 Crown, we saw her use the crown as a circlet, with the Cullinan V brooch in its place, as we saw Camilla wearing it. Queen Elizabeth II often wore the Cullinan V brooch, so leaves me asking this: what was the centrepiece of Mary's crown in the Jewel House display prior to the 2023 coronation adjustments? A replica Koh-i-Noor? The Cullinan V which was removed and left an empty space in the crown at the request of the late Queen when she wished to wear it? And where are the four additional arches stored - could it be within a Royal Trust warehouse or somewhere deep within the protected vault at the Tower of London? Cheers Allan. Michael.

Very nice 👍👍👍❤❤❤❤❤❤

Fascinating! I wonder if that BBC documentary is available on RU-vid. I'd love to watch it. Anybody know?

Poor old Charly looks so old. I remember when he was just a kid and was invested as the Prince of Wales. I guess I dated us both.

Very nice video

I agree, the arches of the Imperial State Crown need to be raised higher - it looks squashed on Charles III's head

A True Crown of England, with her true Gods, is the Sutton Hoo helmet... It was recreated by the Royal Armories, was perhaps even Mark Appleby involved?.. So the Crowns, and their creators/recreators kind of ties that (eh, overly..) colourful history together, from Rædwald and on.. Which makes a long perspective... The Crown Jewelers and e.g. the ladies which made the Bayeux tapestry, very interesting behind the scenes players...

My favourite subject. As you know I have my own copies of The Imperial State Crown and The Edward Crown. So have a question everyone that I have never been able to answer. As most of you will know The Imperial State Crown used to have the Stuart Sapphire at the front, but, with the arrival of the Cullinan II diamond which was placed at the front, the Stuart Sapphire was relegated to the back. The question is this. When the Stuart Sapphire was in the front which stone or stones where at the back. Even historical dramas just put the replica crown on back to front and carefully avoid a back view. So, onto Queen Mary's crown worn by our present Queen, Camilla. Four arches removed, one Kohinoor Diamond removed and replaced by the Cullinan V brooch along with the real Cullinan III and IV being reset into the crown. It is strange that no official photos seem to exist of this new version. I therefore wonder if the crown in the Tower of London has been restored to its former 8 arch version with the copy Cullinans in place of the real ones. If you have paid a visit to see the Crown Jewels since the Coronation last year, I would be fascinated to know. Well done Alan you just keep on delighting us all.

I love your documentaries! They are so well done and so informative. I have a question about the crown for Queen Camilla. In the photos from coronation day, it looks way out of proportion to her head, almost cartoonish, it's so much too large for her. Yet when one sees it on Queen Mary on the occasion of her coronation, it looks perfectly proportioned. Do you know the reason for this seeming imbalance? Thank you

I wonder if the reason the Imperial State Crown wasn't raised to the original height was because those extra oak leaf motifs had gone missing. It's not as if new ones couldn't be made, but perhaps it was all getting a bit too expensive and only absolutely necessary changes were made. I do wish they had done more with Queen Mary's crown. It was made to sit on top of her massive pile of hair, and it was simply too big for Queen Camilla. I'd have liked to see the band resized for her, but also perhaps a bit of change in the arches, lowered perhaps. I don't doubt that the arches on the Fleur-de-lis were removed because the general public may be confused as to why her crown had more arches than his. The use of the Cullinan brooch in place of the Koh-i-noor was inspired.

Could you repeat the current royal jeweller

I agree with your assessment that the arches of the Imperial State crown should have been restored to their elevated position for Charles III. But not because of Charles's stature. I always thought the crown had a flattened, rather squashed look to it after it was altered for her Late Majesty, as if someone had inadvertently sat on it, and just caught themselves before crushing the thing entirely with their full weight. IMHO, the arches actually look bent, at right angles from where they join the band, instead of gracefully arching from it, as they formerly did when worn by King George VI. I enjoyed this video immensely. Thank you for the opportunity to view and discuss the work maintaining the crowns. Question; what is the red and white material used in the setting of the stones on the St. Edward's Crown? Seeing the settings in close up, starting at 7:39, it's appearance puts me in mind of piped peppermint frosting. Is it ceramic?

Fascinating video as usual. I also thought the Imperial State Crown could have done with it's arches raising. Maybe cost prevented it?

Perhaps a bit immature for my laughing at CIII's large head, but an enjoyable video. Thank you, Allan 👑

I had a chuckle when certain countries asked for jewels in back and such after the passing of our late queen Elizabeth II, meanwhile. Scotland……can we have our stone back after your finished, thanks 😂 it’s an ancient ceremony indeed….

Hi Allen I was wondering if I could ask you a question is there any information about the Saint Edwards Crown because when you think about it why aren’t they not doing a restoration project to re-create the old crown from the time of Edward the Confessor? Why don’t they remake that can they not do that anymore?

Wow Fantastic. Republican Australian here but this is wonderful shared history - thank you

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This is very interesting; thank you for sharing this. I was a bit disappointed that King Charles did not have the Imperial State arches raised (perhaps not necessarily as high as they were for his grandfather), and it seemed like Queen Camilla's crown was somewhat larger. Also, would you know why one of the stones In St. Edward's Crown is etched, and what the significance is: 10:07? Are other stones in the band also etched? Thank you very much.

Moral of the story - HM King Charles III has a huge head

6:46 when diamonds gets THAT big they almost look fake; it mind blowing to think that there really exists such huge diamonds! 😳🤯

I think the Imperial state crown was reduced in size for Queen Elizabeth's coronation but not returned to full size for King Charles's. Compare the coronation photos - in 1937 the crown is larger than the queen consorts crown but in 2002 the consort's is higher.

Isn't St Edward's crown considered a relic of sorts? I'm surprised they'd allow it to be altered given that status Cheers for the great videos as always

OMG the size of that diamond!!!!! , my mouth hung open (and my lunch almost came out) thank you, very interesting, may we always have coronations

HM's star trek prince crown needs to make a comeback

Which jewels are from India? Just wondering thanks :)

God Bless King Charles the III.

It was definitely a shame that the Imperial State Crown did not have its arches restored to their King George VI form. Surely they will have to do so for King William V as he is much taller than his father. Frankly, they wasted an opportunity to not completely redesign it in 1937. I have always disliked the 'crazy paving' style of the arches and it looks rather flimsy. A new ISC based on the crown of George IV would be much better.

I can't help finding some of this odd. How many times the various crowns have been broken up, recycled, and refurbished, sometimes with rented jewels. And some just left to molder in Royal Vaults.

I had always wondered as an Australian how the crown could match the previous and next monarchs. Always thought their heads swelled on coronation day like something out of Alice of Wonderland.

I was under the impression that the 'pendant pearls' once belonged to Mary Queen of Scots.

0:56 The Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch

They should have made it adjustable, like cake rings...

Thank you for this video, not having a television I missed that documentary, looks interesting. But am I the only person who thinks the King's crown is on crookedly as if it doesn't quite fit him?

What was the meaning of the 6 lv carved into the ruby on the band?

Put some webbing inside the crowns, similar to how a construction worker's hard hat ;-)

fab xxx

Queen Mary's Crown looked better in its original format with its 8 half-arches (as Queen Mary wore it in 1911) - it was disappointing that 4 of these were removed for Queen Camilla

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What is it to be exiled.....?????

Hmm. 4:25 Crania?? I beg to suggest 'craniums'. I will grant you, the OED says either is acceptable, but still... Anyway: very nice video. Your videi are always enjoyable. :)

This was sad on the crown to Elizabeth, if the crowns don’t belong to you then who do the crowns belong to.

I'm not against the British monarchy, I just don't believe in monarchy as a form of government. I think that in the age in which we live monarchies, as much as religion, are things we should let go as they belong in the past and is high time we understand and accept that. We should know better by now. However, I enjoy art and I deeply respect the skill and the dedication those artisans devote to maintain those jewels and the memory they perpetuate.

Deyaana kim teahyung 🤗🤗💞 🇬🇧👑️✝️👀🖕❤️

When King Charles was being crowned he was holding the septor with the huge star of Africa backwards.

Jesus I read it wrong I thought it was restoring the clowns For a moment there I thought the awful tories were coming back

I don't like the style of these modern crowns. If they were mine I would have them dismantled and re done in a medieval style like the Princess Blanche one or the very early crowns. Much prettier imho!

"Workaday crown" 🤣

The crowns are so pretty and ornate that it seems to me they look better on women.

5:05 Wait what? Someone took parts of the Crown Jewels (paid for by the state) and kept in his ‘personal effects’ and these were just sold off? So many questions here my head feels like it’s going to pop. Isn’t that theft? Why is there no come back on this to the company he worked for? Why were they not taken back into storage? I deplore the litigious culture we seem to be developing but this seems a totally bizarre response.

just make it adjustable already. use one of the jewels as a spiny bit like on a hard hat lol.

I have britsh old plate ,Any one like to buy,Thanks

Full of stolen diamonds. The hope diamond belongs to South Africa

Thanks Allan, Give crowns and pounds and guineas But not your heart away

After watching this, I can see why all of Europe's last remaining monarchies with the exception of Britian abolish coronations and replace them with inaugurations because of the cost it takes to reshape the crowns to fit the current monarch's head and those crowns are not comfortable to wear to the begin with. Just because it looks beautiful and glamorous doesn't mean it feels so.

a very expensive jigsaw

looks like its worth about a fiver

There is no restoring a crown,when that crown has never in power to begin with....

With the clowns in politics, I was hoping this was "restoring Britain's crowns" in a different sense.

Everything stolen should be returned.

chaarles should not be king.

I'd like to thank George Washington & the Continental Army for not giving a shit about this utter nonsense.

You mean "England's crowns", surely.

I need a crown no gold