Crown jewels are jewels or artifacts of the reigning royal family of their respective country. They belong to the
sovereign and are passed to the next sovereign to symbolize the right to rule. They usually
include one or more crowns, scepters, orbs, swords, and/or rings. See
also: regalia.
Africa
Burundi
The traditional emblem of the Mwami (king) was the
Karyenda drum. These holy drums were kept at special drum-sanctuaries throughout the
country and were brought out for special ceremonies only. One such place is in Gitega, location
of the ibwami royal court.
Central African Republic
See Emperor Bokassa and the Central African Empire.
Egypt
The treasures of the Pharaohs can be seen in the Egyptian
Museum in Cairo and in other museums throughout the world.
Most of the Crown Jewels of the Mehmet Ali Dynasty are at
the Museum at Abdin Palace in Cairo.
Links
Ethiopia
The crown jewels of Ethiopia are in Axum.
Ghana and Cameroon
The symbol of the royal power of the Asantehene (ruler of
the Ashanti) is the sacred Golden Stool,
the Sika 'dwa. It is used for the coronation and symbolizes the power of the
Ashanti. It is kept alongside with other royal regalia at the Royal Palace in
Kumasi.
Nigeria
The Nigerian Royal Regalia is normally kept in the capital city of the
respective state. See also List of Nigerian traditional
states.
List of some of the kingdoms Abeokuta - Adamawa - Benin - Borno -
Edo - Fika - Gombe -
Ibadan - Ijebu - Ile Ife -
Ilorin - Jos - Kano - Katsina - Lagos - Onitsha - Oshogbo - Oyo - Sokoto - Tiv - Warri - Zaria (Zazzau) - Zamfara
Links
Rwanda
Close to the old capital of Butare lies the nearby Nyabisindu, formerly known as Nyanza, the traditional seat of
Rwanda’s monarchy. The Royal Palace at Nyanza, a domed construction made with
traditional materials, has been restored to its 19th century state and is now maintained as a museum. Further historical
artifacts are kept at the National Museum in Butare.
Links
South Africa
Tanzania
Uganda
There are several kingdoms in Uganda. During the upheavals
after gaining independence, the monarchies were abolished. Only in the 1990s were the various kings restored to their thrones.
Although they do not wield any political powers anymore, they are still a symbol of unity and continuance to their people. The
royal regalia normally consisted of the Royal Drums, and are kept at the various palaces in the
capital cities of the Ugandan states. See Ugandan Royal Regalia.
The kingdoms Ankole - Buganda - Bunyoro - Busoga - Toro
Asia
Burma
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Main article: Burmese Royal Regalia
The treasures of Burma´s Konbaung Dynasty are kept in
the National Museum in Yangon. They include items such as the Sihasana Pallanka (Great Lion Throne), and
various other items. Other items can be seen in the old capital city of Mandalay.
Brunei
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Main article: Bruneian Royal Regalia
The royal regalia of Brunei are kept in the Royal Regalia
Building, which was completed in 1992, in Bandar Seri
Begawan. Also housed are the Royal Chariot, the gold and silver ceremonial armoury and the
jewel-encrusted crowns.
China
The most important item for the assumption of the throne were the Imperial
Seals, which gave the emperor the mandate of heaven authority. These are kept
either in the Forbidden City or the National
Palace Museum. Numerous crowns, robes, jewels and headwear made especially for coronations and other official events. They
usually contain very large Manchurian pearls and most date from the Qing Dynasty.
Indonesia
Indonesia has various kingdoms and sultanates, all with their own unique history. The most known royal courts
are distributed amongst the islands of Java, Madura,
Bali, Sumatra, Kalimantan,
Sulawesi, and Sumbawa. There are 23 royal courts or more which
still exist today, headed either by a sultan or a ruler. Although
today only HM the Sultan of Yogyakarta wields any
political influence as the governor. In Indonesia the royal courts are either called
Kraton or istana. Below are some of
them listed:
Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat and Puro Pakualaman;
Kraton Surakarta Hadiningrat and Puro Mangkunegaraan;
Kraton Kasepuhan of Cirebon, Kraton
Kanoman, and Kraton Kacirebonan;
Kraton Sumenep;
Istana Siak;
Istana Palembang Darussalam;
Istana Maimun of Kesultanan Deli;
Istana Amantubillah Mempawah, and Istana Alwatzkubillah;
Kutai of Tenggarong;
Istana Bima;
Istana Luwu;
Istana Walio of Buton Island;
Istana Saoraja of Bone and Istana Balla Lompoa of Gowa.
Various royal regalia and other items used for court functions may be viewed in some the respective palaces.
Links
Iran (Persia)
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The crown jewels of Iran could be said to be the largest, one of the most dazzling and valuable jewel collection in the world.
The collection consists of some 40 cases - Many of the cases are filled with numerous items - Some 30 tiaras, three jewel-studded
thrones, and several other items.
Most of the items in the collection date back to the Safavid dynasty which ruled Iran
between 1502-1736 AD. Iran's legendary and heroic emperor Nader Shah Afshar who is referred
to as the "Napoleon of Iran" and who ruled from 1736-1747 AD launched a campaign against India to regain the treasures which
Afghan raiders had looted from Persia's capital Isfahan in 1719. He brought back a vast amount of treasures, including several
jewel-studded thrones, and huge chests filled with loose precious gems. Much of the treasures were lost on the way due to the
rough mountainous terrain they had to pass.
The Qajar dynasty which ruled Iran from 1795-1925 AD added many pieces to the
collection, and also commissioned Persian artisans and jewelers to create several objects such as dishes, tiaras, swords,
aigrettes, etc, using the vast number of loose precious gems, such as diamonds, emeralds, and rubies. Fath Ali Shah and Nasser-al-Din Shah were two
Qajar kings who were keen to expand and enhance the collection.
When the Pahlavi dynasty - Iran's last monarchic dynasty - replaced the Qajars, Reza Shah Pahlavi, also referred to as "Reza
Shah the Great" commissioned Iranian Jewelers to design and create a crown designated to the rulers of the Pahlavi dynasty. The
crown was used for the first time in 1926 on the occasion of the coronation of the first Pahlavi monarch, and for a second and
last time on the occasion of the second Pahlavi monarch, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. A
crown was also commissioned from Arpel in Paris for the Empress of Iran, Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi, using gems from the Iranian
collection. The Imperial Jewels are on display at the central bank in Tehran.
Links
Japan
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The Imperial Regalia of Japan (三種の神器, Sanshu no
Jingi?) ("Three Sacred
Treasures") consist of the Holy Sword Kusanagi (草薙剣), the Holy Jewel Yasakani no magatama (八尺瓊曲玉), and the Holy Mirror Yata no kagami (八咫鏡).
The sword and the mirror are kept at the Shinto shrines in Nagoya
and Ise in Central Japan, and the jewel at the
Kokyo Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
The enthronement cerenomy is traditionally held in Kyoto.
The Imperial Throne is kept at the Gosho Imperial Palace in
Kyoto.
Laos
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Main article: Lao Royal Regalia
The regalia of Laos are kept in the Royal Palace in
Luang Prabang.
Malaysia
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The royal regalia of Malaysia are kept in the Istana Negara (National Palace)
in Kuala Lumpur. The regalia is worn by HM the
King (ms: Yang di-Pertuan Agong), and HM
the Queen (Raja Permaisuri Agong)
during certain ceremonies, such as the election as head of
state, HM's birthday, awards ceremonies, and the calling of parliament.
They consist of the Tengkolok Diraja (Royal Head
Dress), the Queen's Gendik di Raja (Royal Tiara),
the Keris Panjang di Raja (Royal Long Kris or Keris of State), the Kris Pendek di Raja (Royal Short Keris), the Cogan Alam dan Cogan
Agama (Sceptre of the Universe and Sceptre of
Religion), the Cokmar (Maces), the
Pedang Keris Panjang dan Sundang (Royal sword, long Keris and sword Keris), the
Payung Ubur-ubur Kuming dan Tombak Berambu (Yellow-fringed
umbrella and tassled lances), and the Pending di Raja
(Royal Waist Buckle).
Malaysia is a federal state, consisting of thirteen states and two federal territories.
Out of these, nine are monarchies headed by sultans. Royal regalia and other items of the rulers
are kept in the respective palaces and courts. These are:
Johore - Kedah - Kelantan -
Negeri Sembilan - Pahang - Perak - Perlis - Selangor - Terengganu
Philippines
Thailand (Siam)
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Main article: Thai Royal Regalia
The Royal Regalia, Royal Utensils, and the Royal Eight Weapons of Sovereignty comprise a total of 28 items. The Royal
Regalia consists of the Great Crown of Victory, the Sword of Victory, the Royal Staff, the Royal Fan (or Flywhisk), and the Royal
Slippers. The 28 items are traditionally presented to the Kings of
Thailand at their coronation ceremonies. They are kept, amongst other royal items, at
the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
Links
Link to the Thai Royal Regalia http://www.geocities.com/threeb.rm/index.html
Vietnam
The signs of the imperial power of the Nguyen Emperors were the Great Imperial Seal and the Sword. When the last emperor Bao Dai abdicated 1945
in Huế, he handed them over to the communist authorities.
Europe
Austria (Austro-Hungarian Empire, Holy Roman Empire)
Some of the Austrian crown jewels being held by
Franz I of Austria. They
include the Imperial Crown of Austria, the Sceptre, the Sword and the coronation mantle.
The Austrian Crown Jewels (de:
Insignien und Kleinodien) are kept at the Schatzkammer (Imperial Treasury)
located in the Hofburg Palace in Vienna. They
are a collection of imperial regalia and jewels dating from the 10th century to the 19th. They are one of the biggest and most
important collection of royal objects still today, and reflect more than a thousand years of European history. The treasury can
be quantified into six important parts:
The most outstanding objects are the insignia of the hereditary Empire of Austria.
They consist of the Imperial Crown, the Imperial Orb and the mantle of the Austrian Empire, and the Coronation Robes of the
Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia. The Imperial Crown, Orb, Cross, and Holy Lance
of the Holy Roman Empire are also highlights.
Czech Republic (Czech Kingdom, Bohemian Kingdom)
The jewels (cs: korunovační klenoty), and the Crown of Saint
Wenceslas of Bohemia (Svatováclavská koruna) are kept in Prague Castle (Pražský hrad) and are displayed to the public only once every (circa) fifty
years.
The crown is named and dedicated after the Duke and Patron Saint Wenceslas I of the Premyslids dynasty of Bohemia. The crown has an unusual design, with vertical fleurs-de-lis standing at the front, back and sides. Made from gold and
precious stones, its weight is 2.475g. It was made for King Charles IV in 1346. Since 1867 it has been stored in St. Vitus Cathedral of Prague Castle. The
jewels have always played an important role as a symbol of Bohemian statehood.
Interestingly, an old Czech legend says that any usurper who places the crown on his head is doomed to die within a year. In
the eyes of some this was confirmed during World War II when Reinhard Heydrich, the Nazi governor of the puppet Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia secretly wore them believing himself to be a
great king, and was assassinated less than a year later by the Czech
underground.
Links
(all text in Czech language)
Denmark
The Crown of Christian IV.
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The crown jewels and other royal regalia of Denmark are kept in Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen.
France
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What is left of the crown jewels of France is on display in the Louvre in Paris.
The French Crown Jewels in the Louvre
Germany
missing
missing
In 1806, Napoleon Bonaparte conquered the
Holy Roman Empire. He restructured the many German states and the Duchy of Bavaria was promoted to a 'Kingdom'. The ruling Wittelsbach Duke became Maximilian I became King of
Bavaria. With his new status, the King ordered new regalia to be made. It can be seen today in
the Treasury of the Residenz Palace in Munich.
The Bavarian Coronation Set consists of the Crown of Bavaria, the Crown of the
Queen (originally made for Maximilian's Queen, Caroline
Frederika of Baden, the State Sword, the Royal Orb, and the Royal Sceptre. Please see
Bavarian Crown Jewels.
Links
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missing
The treasures of the Kings of Saxony are kept in Dresden.
Please see Saxon Crown Jewels.
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The crown and the insignia of the Kingdom of Prussia are kept at Hohenzollern Castle in Sigmarigen, Baden-Württemberg. Please see Prussian Crown
Jewels.
Links
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The Imperial Regalia like the Holy Crown of Charlemagne, the orb, the sceptre, the Holy
Lance, and various other items are kept in the Schatzkammer Treasury in Vienna, Austria. Please see
Imperial Regalia.
Links
Greece
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Hungary
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The crown jewels of Hungary are on display in the Parliament Building in Budapest.
Ireland
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The Irish Crown Jewels were heavily jewelled insignia of the Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick. Their theft from
Dublin Castle in 1907 remains unsolved.
Italy
the Iron Crown of the Kingdom of
Lombardy is kept at the Cathedral of Monza. The coronation robe is kept in the
Schatzkammer in Vienna, Austria.
The Crown jewels of the Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946) are in the
custody of the Bank of Italy, due to legal controversy between the Italian Republic and
the Savoia family. It is not clear who is the legal owner. The value of crowns, diadems and various jewels is valued at over €2,5
Billion.
Monaco
Monaco features a heraldic crown on its
coat-of-arms, but does not possess any crown jewels or regalia per se. The coronation
ceremony consists of a festive mass in the cathedral of
Monaco, followed by reception where the new prince meets his subjects. The throne and other items can be viewed in the palace of Monaco, which is open to the public.
Netherlands
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Norway
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The crown jewels, or royal regalia, of Norway are together with some other old treasures
placed in Nidaros Cathedral, in Trondheim.
Poland
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The only surviving part of the Polish Crown Jewels is from the Piast dynasty and consists of the coronation sword known as the
Szczerbiec. It is currently on display along with other royal items in the Wawel Royal Castle Museum, Kraków. Most of the Crown Jewels were plundered by
foreign invaders such as the Swedes, Germans and Russians.
One of many royal crowns was made for King August II, Elector of Saxony when he became King of Poland in 1697. Since the original set was
stolen, a new set was made for the coronation in Kraków. Today it is displayed in the Royal Castle in Dresden, Germany.
Portugal
The royal Crown of Portugal was made in 1817. It was created
in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in the workshop of Don
Antonio Gomes da Silva, for King John VI. Today, the
crown along with other royal regalia is kept in the Ajuda Palace, Lisbon.
Romania
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The Romanian Crown Jewels consist of three crowns: the Steel Crown, the
Crown of Queen Elisabeta and the Crown of Queen Maria; and two scepters: the Scepter of Ferdinand I and the Scepter of Carol II. They are displayed at The National History Museum of Romania in
Bucharest. The National History Museum of Romania
Russia
The coronation regalia, such as the Great Imperial Crown, the
Imperial Orb of Catherine II the Great,
the Imperial Sceptre with the Orloff diamond, the
Shah diamond, and others are kept at the Kremlin Armory
Museum in Moscow. Please see Imperial Crown of Russia and Monomakh's Cap.
Links
Serbia
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Spain
The old regalia of Spain was destroyed in the Great Fire of Christmas Eve
1734. In the 18th century, King Charles III ordered a new
crown and sceptre to be made. They are displayed at accession ceremonies and at the opening of the Cortes (Parliament). Actually, Spanish kings did not use coronation: the
last recorded use of crown over a king's head is from the 15th century. Since there, kings of Castile and Aragon have not been
crowned, but proclaimed. Kings of Spain have not been crowned. In the ceremony of accession, the crown is present, but it is not
placed on the monarch's head.
The crown is made of golden silver, and it features half-arches resting on 8 plates bearing the emblems of the Kingdom. They
are kept today by the Patrimonio Nacional (the Crown Heritage).
All of the jewels and tiaras worn by the members of the Spanish Royal Family are
privately owned by them, because other than the crown and sceptre displayed at the opening of the Cortes, Spain no longer has
crown jewels belonging to the state.
Links
Sweden
Sweden’s Crown Jewels are kept deep in the vaults of the Royal
Treasury, underneath the Royal Palace in Stockholm. The symbols of
Swedish monarchy have not actually been worn since 1907, but they are still displayed
at weddings, christenings and funerals. Until 1974 the crown jewels were also displayed at the opening of the Riksdag (Parliament). Among the oldest priceless objects are the sword
of Gustav Vasa and the crown, orb, sceptre and key of King Erik XIV and numerous other sovereigns. Please see Swedish
Royal Regalia.
Links
United Kingdom
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The Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom are considered to be the most valuable and one of the largest jewelery collections in
existence, with a number of famous diamonds and rubies including the Cullinan Diamond
(One of the largest diamond).
The crown jewels of
England, and now of the United Kingdom, are kept in the
Tower of London.
The crown jewels, or 'Honours', including the Stone of Destiny, are kept in Edinburgh Castle.
The Honours of the Principality of Wales.
The original regalia of the Welsh princes have been lost. Llywelyn's coronet was
kept after its capture with the English crown jewels between 1284 and 1649.
Vatican
Latin America
Chile
- The Kingdom of Araucania and Patagonia has a crown, presented to
Prince Philippe of Araucania in 1986 by a group of Araucanian "nobles". Previously, the Royal House
had no crown. Made of steel and containing stones from the Rio
Bio-Bio, it is on display at the Museum of the Kings of Araucania.
Peru
Brazil
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Emperor Pedro II and the Brazilian Imperial Regalia
The Imperial Crown of Brazil alongside with other regalia and mementos of
the Brazilian Empire are kept at the Imperial Museum of Brazil (Museu Imperial) in the former palace of Brazilian emperor
Pedro II, in Petrópolis, Brazil.
United
States
Some of the Crown Jewels and the original Thrones of the Kingdom of Hawaii reside within the
custody of the Bishop Museum. Copies of the thrones can be seen at
Iolani Palace. Some lie in state with the royals at the Royal Mausoleum at Mauna Ala.
The National Park System is often metaphorically referred to as the republic's "national treasures", and some of the more famous
components as "crown jewels". This is intentionally meant to contrast the monarchical nature of the "old world" with the republican ideals of the "new world".
Oceania
New Zealand
This Kingdom is an unofficial one, but one that has become an important one to Māori today. The
current monarch is Tuheitia Paki. The crown jewelles consist of a cloak.
Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu. Her 40 year reign was the longest of any Maori monarch (1966-2006)
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