More than 300 pieces of royal jewellery spanning 500 years of British monarchy will go on display at The King's Gallery, Buckingham Palace, next year. The exhibition, titled Royal Jewellery: From Coronations to Keepsakes, will feature adornments worn by monarchs from Henry VIII to Charles II, and Queen Victoria to Queen Elizabeth II.
Two-thirds of the pieces will be shown for the first time. The display will explore the human stories behind the jewels, covering themes of "love and loss, power and politics, family and faith", according to its curators.
Historic Pieces on Show
Among the highlights will be the Diamond Diadem, made for George IV's coronation and later immortalised on coins, banknotes and stamps bearing the image of Elizabeth II. Queen Victoria's Small Diamond Crown, placed on her coffin during her lying in state, will also be exhibited.
Cufflinks said to have been worn by Charles I on the scaffold for his execution in 1649 will be on public display for the first time. The exhibition will also feature a collection of jewellery associated with every queen and consort from Queen Charlotte to Elizabeth II, tracing changing fashions from Georgian splendour to mid-century designs.
Personal Stories and Keepsakes
Items include Queen Charlotte's set of garnet jewels, newly connected to George III's wife through recent research, and Queen Alexandra's gold articulated serpent bracelet set with diamonds and a black pearl. A Faberge aquamarine and diamond pendant given to the future Elizabeth II by her grandmother Queen Mary will be among the pieces, alongside the Greville emerald and diamond necklace worn by Elizabeth II.
Moving keepsakes associated with Queen Victoria and Prince Albert will also be shown, including Victoria's first ring, a flowerhead set with five emeralds and a ruby, and the diamond and sapphire brooch Albert gave her on the eve of their wedding. A bracelet set with pebbles collected by the couple on their first journey alone together, a thistle brooch incorporating their eldest daughter's first milk tooth, and Victoria's mourning ring featuring Albert's photograph will also be displayed.
Exhibition Details
The Crown Jewels will not feature in the exhibition and will remain at the Tower of London. Tickets will be available to Royal Collection Trust e-newsletter subscribers from October 28 and to the general public from November 3. The exhibition opens at The King's Gallery, Buckingham Palace, on June 25 2027 and will run for nine months.
