An exhibition of royal jewellery spanning 500 years will open at Buckingham Palace in 2027, bringing together more than 300 pieces, two-thirds of which will be shown for the first time.
Exhibition Highlights
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. The display, with items dating from the 16th century to the present day, will explore the human stories behind the jewels, including themes of love and loss, power and politics, family and faith.
Among the exhibits will be the Diamond Diadem, made for George IV's coronation and later depicted 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 displayed. Cufflinks said to have been worn by Charles I on the scaffold for his execution in 1649 will be shown publicly for the first time.
Personal Stories and Keepsakes
At the heart of the exhibition will be jewellery associated with every queen and consort from Queen Charlotte to Elizabeth II, tracing changing fashions from Georgian splendour and Victorian sentimentality to Art Deco styles and mid-century designs.
Co-curators Caroline de Guitaut and Kathryn Jones said: "This unprecedented exhibition will bring together some of the most important and spectacular royal jewels in British history, many never exhibited publicly before." They added: "Each jewel carries with it a human story: of love and loss, power and politics, family and faith. Together, they have borne witness to the defining moments of royal lives and offer a deeply personal insight into the individuals and relationships that have shaped the monarchy across generations."
Notable Pieces
For the first time, Queen Charlotte's set of garnet jewels, recently connected to George III's wife through research, will be included, along with 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 also be on show, as will the Greville emerald and diamond necklace, part of Dame Margaret Greville's bequest to the Queen Mother.
Keepsakes associated with Queen Victoria and Prince Albert will capture moments of love, loss and family life. These include Victoria's first ring, a flowerhead set with five emeralds around a single ruby, and the diamond and sapphire brooch Albert gave Victoria 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.
The Crown Jewels will remain at the Tower of London and will not feature in the exhibition. Tickets will be available to Royal Collection Trust e-newsletter subscribers from October 28 and to the general public from November 3. The exhibition will open at The King's Gallery, Buckingham Palace, on June 25, 2027, and run for nine months.
