Explore the Beautiful Crowns and Tiaras Queen Elizabeth Wore Throughout Her Reign

Queen Elizabeth II at a banquet on October 13, 1982 in Papua New Guinea; Princess Elizabeth on her wedding day on November 20, 1947 in London, England; Queen Elizabeth II arrives for the State Opening of Parliament on November 13, 2002.
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Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne in 1952, displaying a variety of royal tiaras throughout her reign. Among the most notable include the Imperial State Crown, which signifies the conclusion of a coronation and the commencement of a new reign, and several other headpieces personally commissioned by the queen, such as the Brazilian Aquamarine Tiara and the Burmese Ruby Tiara, crafted from her jewel collection.

Throughout her time as sovereign, the queen exhibited several preferred pieces, frequently appearing in the Vladimir Tiara, Girls of Great Britain & Ireland Tiara, and the Diamond Diadem. The latter was often chosen over the Imperial State Crown during significant events like the State Opening of Parliament.

In a 2018 BBC One documentary titled "The Coronation," Queen Elizabeth shared insights about her 1953 coronation experience, particularly regarding the substantial weight of the Imperial State Crown, which approached three pounds. “You can’t look down to read the speech; you have to take the speech up,” she remarked. “If you did, your neck would break — it would fall off. So there are some disadvantages to crowns, but otherwise they’re quite important things.”

Here’s a closer look at some of Queen Elizabeth’s most iconic crowns:

1. Queen Mary’s Fringe Tiara

Queen Elizabeth wearing Queen Mary’s Fringe Tiara.

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Commissioned by Queen Mary in November 1919 from Garrard, this tiara boasts a Russian halo style featuring 634 brilliant-cut and 271 rose-cut diamonds. The design allows for it to be worn as a necklace as well.

Notably, several royals wore the fringe tiara during their weddings, including Queen Elizabeth in 1947, Princess Anne in 1973, and Princess Beatrice in 2020.

2. Girls of Great Britain & Ireland Tiara

Queen Elizabeth wearing the Girls of Great Britain & Ireland Tiara.

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Purchased as a wedding gift for Queen Mary in 1893, this tiara originally had a diamond band with baroque pearls but was later reconfigured to feature diamonds exclusively. Queen Mary passed it down to Queen Elizabeth, who wore it on multiple occasions, including her first royal portrait in 1952 and at a diplomatic reception in 2018.

3. Burmese Ruby Tiara

Queen Elizabeth wearing the Burmese Ruby Tiara.

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Commissioned from Garrard in 1973, the Burmese Ruby Tiara features rubies received from the Burmese people, along with diamonds from the deconstructed Nizam of Hyderabad Tiara. This masterpiece is often showcased with matching ruby jewelry during royal appearances.

4. Vladimir Tiara

Queen Elizabeth wearing the Vladimir Tiara.

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Originally owned by the Grand Duchess Vladimir of Russia, this tiara was purchased by Queen Mary in 1921. It features diamond interlocking circles and pendant pearls, giving it a distinctive elegance. Queen Elizabeth wore the tiara frequently, including for a diplomatic reception in 2019.

5. Lover’s Knot Tiara

Queen Elizabeth wearing the Lover’s Knot Tiara.

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This tiara was originally created by Queen Mary in 1913, using elements from her personal collection. Featuring a series of diamond arches and a “lover’s knot” motif, it was passed on to Queen Elizabeth in 1953. The tiara was also worn by Princess Diana on numerous occasions.

6. Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik Tiara

Queen Elizabeth wearing Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik Tiara.

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Commissioned in 1888 by Queen Alexandra to replicate a family heirloom, this tiara features over 400 diamonds set into vertical bars. It has been passed down through generations, becoming a staple in Queen Elizabeth’s jewelry collection.

7. Brazilian Aquamarine Tiara

Queen Elizabeth wearing the Brazilian Aquamarine Tiara.

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Commissioned in 1957, this tiara was designed to coordinate with a set of jewelry gifted by the Brazilian president. Originally featuring a diamond bandeau, it underwent alterations in 1971 to enhance its aesthetic.

8. Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet Tiara

Queen Elizabeth wearing Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet Tiara.

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Originally crafted in 1853 by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria, this extraordinary piece has undergone several transformations over the years. While Queen Elizabeth wore it only once, it remains a cherished part of royal history.

9. Diamond Diadem

Queen Elizabeth wearing the Diamond Diadem.

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Crafted for King George IV’s coronation in 1820, this diadem is set with over 1,333 diamonds and pearls. Queen Elizabeth frequently wore this regal piece during significant state occasions.

10. Imperial State Crown

Queen Elizabeth wearing the Imperial State Crown.

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Created for King George VI’s coronation in 1937, the Imperial State Crown consists of gold, diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and rubies. It is historically significant and has adorned every monarch during their coronation and State Opening of Parliament.

Queen Elizabeth modified this crown for her own 1953 coronation to make it lighter, ensuring comfort during essential ceremonies.