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The Royal Crowns: As Prince of Wales

The crown of the Prince of Wales, as eldest son of the King, is of gold, and is ornamented with imitation gem clusters and pearls. From the rim rise four crosses-patée and four fleurs-de-lys alternately, and from two opposite crosses rises a single arch, dipping deeply towards the centre. At the top is a mound of gold with imitation pearls, and above this a cross-patée also with pearls. This crown is placed before the Prince of Wales' seat in the House of Lords when the King opens Parliament. Before the Restoration of Charles II. the coronet of the Prince of Wales had no arch, and it was by that king's order that the arch was added, thus making it a crown, with the mound and cross-patée at the top. The coronets of sons, brothers, and uncles of the sovereigns are exactly like that of the Prince of Wales with the exception of the arch, which is not used in their case. The coronets of the princesses of Great Britain are also without the arches, and two of the crosses-patée are replaced by strawberry leaves. The crown is shown at the Tower with the crimson velvet cap turned up with miniver, which is worn with it.

As Prince of Wales, H. R. H. wears a separate coronet, which consists of a circlet of gold ornamented with pearls and amethysts. Fixed upon the circlet at intervals are four crosses-patée, alternating with fleurs-de-lys. The crosses-patée and the fleurs-de-lys are pierced, and within the outlines of the one run sprays of the Rose of England, and of the other the Daffodil of Wales. The spaces between the crosses-patée and the fleurs-de-lys are filled with rosebud sprays.