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As with all royal occasions (and we’ve had a lots of them recently), King Charles III’s coronation is set to be a very sparkly event. There will be lots and lots to talk about, like all the weird celebs that get invited to the main ceremony inside Westminster Abbey, the cheeky grins Prince William’s kids shoot at the crowds and, no doubt, the odd controversial topic or two.
One thorny question that may arise relates to the two dazzling, jewel-encrusted crowns that will presented to the King and Queen. Much thought has gone into every minute detail of the bank holiday weekend and the crowns are no exception. Last week, Buckingham Palace announced that Camilla will move away from tradition in her choice of headgear to avoid controversy – though it seems her new jewellery might prove just as problematic. Here’s everything you need to know about the Cullinan diamond controversy (and why it has replaced the Koh-i-Noor).
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What crown will Camilla wear for King Charles’s coronation?
She will be crowned with Queen Mary’s Crown. The headpiece contains 2,200 diamonds and will be modified slightly to include jewels from the late Queen’s personal collection, which includes cuts from the Cullinan diamond – the largest ever discovered. Cullinan III, IV and V will all feature on the big day.
It’s believed that this is the first time in recent history that a crown has been ‘recycled’ for a coronation. It replaces the Queen Mother’s coronation crown, which Camilla will not be wearing due to the controversial Koh-i-Noor diamond that adorns it.
How much is the Cullinan diamond worth?
Before it was cut, the Cullinan weighed 3,106 carats making it the largest rough diamond to ever be found. It was intricately cut to produce nine separate gems. Cullinan I is the largest, at an estimated 530 carats, and is worth £40.9 million.
Is there any controversy around the Cullinan diamond?
Like the Koh-i-Noor, the Cullinan diamond is closely tied to British colonialism. It is associated with the violence of the Boer War and it remains a matter of debate whether it is the UK’s rightful property. The jewel was discovered in a South African mine in 1905 and bought by the government of British-controlled Transvaal two years later.
Are any other cuts of the Cullinan diamond involved in the coronation ceremony?
Yes. A cut known as Cullinan I (or the Star of Africa) is encrusted at the end of the Sceptre with Cross, which Camilla will receive when she is anointed and crowned.
How did Queen Elizabeth get the Cullinan diamond?
The diamond was first presented to the royal family in 1907. The official line is that it was gifted to King Edward VII on his 66th birthday by the former leaders of the Transvaal and was intended as a gesture intended to heal the rift between Britain and the Boer people following the Boer War.
What’s the history of the Koh-i-Noor diamond and why is it controversial?
The Koh-i-Noor (meaning ‘Mountain of Light’) is likely to have originated from the Golconda mines in central southern India. The first written record of the diamond was in 1628 and it has since passed through countless owners, including Mughal Emperors, Shahs of Iran and Sikh Maharajas.
The controversy around the jewel concerns (you guessed it) who should be its rightful owner. Before it was presented the Queen Victoria in 1849, the East India Company had taken it from the last ruler of the Sikh empire, ten-year-old Maharaja Duleep Singh. Handing over the diamond was part of the Treaty of Lahore, which Duleep was apparently forced to sign.
The jewel has been part of the royal collection ever since but India, Pakistan and Afghanistan have all argued that they are its rightful owners.
How much is the Koh-i-Noor diamond worth?
Its exact worth isn’t actually known but at 105.6 carats the Koh-i-Noor’s estimated value is between £115 million and £330 million.
Read more: here’s everything you need to know about the King’s coronation.
Plus: what time is King Charles’s coronation and how long is it?
Oh, and: the coronation concert line-up has finally been revealed.