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The Royal Crowns: Queen Mary of Modena

THE QUEEN'S CROWNS There are three queens' crowns or diadems in the Tower :- The Crown of Queen Mary of Modena, consort of James II. The Diadem of Queen Mary of Modena, consort of James II. The State Crown of Queen Mary, consort of George V.

THE CROWN OF QUEEN MARY OF MODENA The crown that Queen Mary of Modena wore on her return to Westminster Hall after her coronation is figured by Sandford. It is now in the Tower. Though it may be accepted that it is the same crown, there are alterations in the crosses and fleurs-de-lys which surmount the rim, as well as in the cross above the mound; the main feature, however, of the crown, the row of large diamonds round the rim, is the same in both cases, as are the arches. The only gems used in the crown are diamonds and pearls, and some of the diamonds are very large. It is probable that the alterations and improvements which have been effected were made for the queen at the coronation of William and Mary. The crown has the crimson velvet cap turned up with miniver, which is kept with it. THE DIADEM OF QUEEN MARY OF MODENA It will be remembered that in one of the pictures of the coronation procession of Charles II. going to be crowned, he wears only the velvet cap of maintenance, and it seems that in many of these processions a cap or circlet not actually a crown was worn as well, crowns themselves being used on the return journey to West- Plate VII THE PRINCE OF WALES' CROWN THE ROYAL CROWNS minster Hall. In the Tower we possess both the circlet or diadem and the crown that belonged to Mary of Modena, and which she wore in her proceeding to, and on her return from, her coronation. The diadem, the simpler of the two, is the one she wore first. This diadem has along its upper edge a row of large pearls, rising into a point in the front, with a single diamond at its highest point. Beneath this is a rich floral spray, in thick gold open work, elaborately modelled and chased, having large diamonds as leaves and flowers. Beyond this spray, on each side, are a succession of large rosettes, in open work of gold, with large diamonds in their centres and small diamonds set all round them. This diadem is said to have cost £110,000. There is no record of its having been used by any queen except Mary of Modena, and it undoubtedly differs from the figure of it given by Sandford; but as he shows certain of its peculiarities, such for instance as the gold open work in clusters, and the single gem in the front, it is just possible that, allowing freely for artistic licence, he intends his figure to represent it even as it is now.