State crown
Encyclopedia
A state crown is the working crown
worn by a monarch
on recurring state occasions such as State Openings of Parliament
, as opposed to the coronation crown
with which they would be formally crowned.
Some state crowns might however be used during parts of the coronation
ceremony. In isolated cases, individual monarchs sometimes chose to use their state crown instead of the official coronation crown
for the crowning, but those cases were exceptions rather than the norm.
Some states where there was no ceremonial coronation only had state crowns, or neither as in Belgium.
and its successor Kingdom of Great Britain
to describe the crowns of Kings Charles II
and George I
that were worn on occasions such as the State Opening of Parliament
. While the crown of Charles no longer exists, the jewel
-less frame of the State Crown of George I
is still kept among the British Crown Jewels.
Because they were more frequently in use, in contrast to a coronation crown which was usually only worn once during each reign, state crowns were repeatedly replaced due to wear and tear.
Because of its age and fragility, the State Crown of George I was replaced in 1838, the new replacement crown was instead called the Imperial State Crown
, as was its replacement in 1937. The adjective 'imperial' was retained after 1947 despite Indian and Pakistani independence, and its subsequent removal from other royal titles and descriptions.
Crown (headgear)
A crown is the traditional symbolic form of headgear worn by a monarch or by a deity, for whom the crown traditionally represents power, legitimacy, immortality, righteousness, victory, triumph, resurrection, honour and glory of life after death. In art, the crown may be shown being offered to...
worn by a monarch
Monarch
A monarch is the person who heads a monarchy. This is a form of government in which a state or polity is ruled or controlled by an individual who typically inherits the throne by birth and occasionally rules for life or until abdication...
on recurring state occasions such as State Openings of Parliament
State Opening of Parliament
In the United Kingdom, the State Opening of Parliament is an annual event that marks the commencement of a session of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It is held in the House of Lords Chamber, usually in November or December or, in a general election year, when the new Parliament first assembles...
, as opposed to the coronation crown
Coronation crown
A coronation crown is a crown used by a monarch when being crowned. In some monarchies, monarchs did not wear the one crown but had a number of crowns for different occasions; a coronation crown for the moment of coronation, and a state crown for general usage in state ceremonial...
with which they would be formally crowned.
Some state crowns might however be used during parts of the coronation
Coronation
A coronation is a ceremony marking the formal investiture of a monarch and/or their consort with regal power, usually involving the placement of a crown upon their head and the presentation of other items of regalia...
ceremony. In isolated cases, individual monarchs sometimes chose to use their state crown instead of the official coronation crown
Coronation crown
A coronation crown is a crown used by a monarch when being crowned. In some monarchies, monarchs did not wear the one crown but had a number of crowns for different occasions; a coronation crown for the moment of coronation, and a state crown for general usage in state ceremonial...
for the crowning, but those cases were exceptions rather than the norm.
Some states where there was no ceremonial coronation only had state crowns, or neither as in Belgium.
British state crowns
The term state crown was particularly used in the Kingdom of EnglandKingdom of England
The Kingdom of England was, from 927 to 1707, a sovereign state to the northwest of continental Europe. At its height, the Kingdom of England spanned the southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain and several smaller outlying islands; what today comprises the legal jurisdiction of England...
and its successor Kingdom of Great Britain
Kingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
to describe the crowns of Kings Charles II
Charles II of England
Charles II was monarch of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.Charles II's father, King Charles I, was executed at Whitehall on 30 January 1649, at the climax of the English Civil War...
and George I
George I of Great Britain
George I was King of Great Britain and Ireland from 1 August 1714 until his death, and ruler of the Duchy and Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg in the Holy Roman Empire from 1698....
that were worn on occasions such as the State Opening of Parliament
State Opening of Parliament
In the United Kingdom, the State Opening of Parliament is an annual event that marks the commencement of a session of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It is held in the House of Lords Chamber, usually in November or December or, in a general election year, when the new Parliament first assembles...
. While the crown of Charles no longer exists, the jewel
Gemstone
A gemstone or gem is a piece of mineral, which, in cut and polished form, is used to make jewelry or other adornments...
-less frame of the State Crown of George I
State Crown of George I
The State Crown of George I was the state crown manufactured for King George I of Great Britain.When George I became King of Great Britain and King of Ireland in 1714 it was decided to replace the previous state crown , created for King Charles II in 1661, by a new crown, as the old one was judged...
is still kept among the British Crown Jewels.
Because they were more frequently in use, in contrast to a coronation crown which was usually only worn once during each reign, state crowns were repeatedly replaced due to wear and tear.
Because of its age and fragility, the State Crown of George I was replaced in 1838, the new replacement crown was instead called the Imperial State Crown
Imperial State Crown
The Imperial State Crown is one of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom.- Design :The Crown is of a design similar to St Edward's Crown: it includes a base of four crosses pattée alternating with four fleurs-de-lis, above which are four half-arches surmounted by a cross. Inside is a velvet cap...
, as was its replacement in 1937. The adjective 'imperial' was retained after 1947 despite Indian and Pakistani independence, and its subsequent removal from other royal titles and descriptions.