Tudor Crown

{{Short description|Crown of Tudor monarchs and heraldic device}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Use British English|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox crown |name = Tudor Crown |image = Tudor Crown, 1629 (extracted).jpg |caption = The crown in a 1629 portrait of Charles I |heraldic = 2022 pattern Tudor Crown (plain) 3D.svg |nation = Kingdom of England |date_made = No later than 1521 |date_destroyed = 1649 |owner = |weight = {{cvt|{{#expr: 7 * 12 + 6}}|ozt|lb kg|sigfig=3}}{{efn|At the time of its destruction.}}<ref name="Davenport 1897" /> |arches = 2–4 |primary_material = Gold |cap_material = Purple silk velvet lined with black silk satin and no fur<ref name="Historic Royal Palaces video" /> |stones = 344 jewels, gems and pearls<ref name="Historic Royal Palaces video" /> |other_elements= |predecessors = |successors = State Crown of Charles II }}

The '''Tudor Crown''', also known as the '''Imperial Crown''', was a crown created in the early 16th century for either Henry VII or Henry VIII, the first Tudor monarchs of England, and destroyed in 1649 during the English Civil War. It was described by the art historian Sir Roy Strong as "a masterpiece of early Tudor jeweller's art".<ref>{{cite news |title=A Vanished Realm: The Lost Treasures of Britain |newspaper=The Sunday Times Magazine |page=33 |date=19 November 1989 |author=Sir Roy Strong}}</ref>

A representation of the Tudor Crown is a widely used symbol in the heraldry of the United Kingdom. In use officially from 1901 to 1952 and again since 2022 on the accession of Charles III, it is used to represent the Crown as the sovereign source of governmental authority. As such, it appears on numerous official emblems in the United Kingdom, other Commonwealth realms, and the former British Empire.<ref name="Fox-Davies">{{cite wikisource |title=A Complete Guide to Heraldry |chapter=Chapter 22 |last=Fox-Davies |first=Arthur Charles |author-link=Arthur Charles Fox-Davies |date=1909 |publisher=T. C. & E. C. Jack |location=London |pages=358–359 }}</ref><ref name="Genealogical Magazine 1902" />

==Origins== Its date of manufacture is unknown, but Henry VII or his son and successor Henry VIII probably commissioned the crown, first documented in writing in a 1521 inventory of Henry VIII's jewels, naming the crown as "the king's crown of gold".<ref name="1521 Inventory">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/reportspapersofa17asso/page/158 |chapter=King Henry VIII's Jewel Book |year=1521 |author=John Plowfeld |title=Associated Architectural Societies Reports and Papers |volume=17 |pages=158–159 |editor=Edward Trollope |publisher=James Williamson }}</ref> The crown was mentioned again in 1532, 1547, 1550, 1574, 1597 and 1606,<ref name="Nichols 1828">{{cite book |last=Nichols |first=John |date=1828 |title=The Progresses of King James the First in Four Volumes |volume=II |url=https://archive.org/details/progressesproces02nichuoft/page/44/mode/2up |location=London |publisher=J.B. Nichols |pages=44–45 |isbn= |access-date=3 February 2025 }}</ref> also featuring in portraits of Charles I.

Henry V is the first English monarch to be depicted in heraldry wearing an imperial crown, and the first to be referred to as an emperor in his kingdom.<ref name="Griffiths 1983">{{cite book |last=Griffiths |first=Ralph A. |date=1983 |title="This royal throne of kings, this scept'red isle": The English realm and nation in the later middle ages |url=https://lib-discovery.swan.ac.uk/omeka-s/files/original/1921bf87b0901dc5fa8510228b287b83dd4ee21a.pdf |location=Swansea |publisher=University College of Swansea |pages=22–23 |isbn=0860760391 |access-date=4 February 2025}}</ref> An imperial crown appeared on the great seal of England after 1471 and on the coinage of Henry VII from 1489.<ref name="Griffiths 1983" /> Cuthbert Tunstall wrote to Henry VIII in 1517, "the Crown of England is an Empire of itself ... for which cause your Grace weareth a closed crown."<ref name="Griffiths 1983" /><ref name="Jones 1883">{{cite book |last=Jones |first=William |date=1883 |title=Crowns and Coronations: a History of Regalia |url=https://archive.org/details/crownscoronation00jone/page/40/mode/2up |location=London |publisher=Chatto & Windus |pages=40–41 |isbn= |access-date=22 January 2025}}</ref>

==Description== [[File:Henry VIII's Crown.jpg|thumb|The crown in a 1631 portrait of Charles I; the image of a figure is visible in the upper leaf of the fleur-de-lis.]] [[File:Tudor Crown (extracted).jpg|thumb|The crown in a 1632 portrait of Charles I depicting four arches.]] The crown is first described in an inventory made of Henry VIII's jewels in 1521:<ref name="1521 Inventory"/>

{{blockquote|Furste the kingis crowne of golde the Bordour garnisshed with Six Balacys{{efn|Balas rubies.}} ffyve Saphures fyve pointed Diamoundys twanty Rubyes xix pearlys and iiij Collettis{{efn|Collettis, the rims or necks of gold in which gems are set.}} the Balacys with the king And one of the crosses of the same Crowne garnisshed wt a greate Saphure an Emade Crased{{efn|Crased i.e. broken.}} iiij Balacys and ix pearlis not all of a sorte Item on the lefte side of the same Crosse a fflourre de luce set wt An ymage of Cryste with A greate Balace Brooken A less Balace A poynted dyamounde...

Henry Rex{{efn|Page signed by Henry VIII on 14 February 1521.<ref name="1521 Inventory" />}}

two pearlis and the Collet where a fayre Balace stode and A crampon{{efn|Crampon, a cramp or setting.}} where the pearle stode. the Balace and the pearle wt the king and next that a nother Crosse wt a course saphure iiij course balacys a fayre litle Emerade A lozenged Diamonde like a harte a ruby viij plis and a crampon where the pearle stode the pearle wt the king, and next that another ffloure de luce sett wt a saunte George a fayre balace a poynted Diamounde and thre plis A collett where a Balace stode The Balace with the king in oon leaf And of the other leaf both collett and Balace with the king and next that Another Crosse wt a large Eounde Saphure iiij Balacys iiij plys and a Collett the emerade wt the king and v crampons the pearlis wt the king and next that An other flour de luce set with our ladyes ymage and hir childe A Balace A poynted Diamonde thre pearlis and two Collettis The Balace wt the king and next that A nother Crosse set wt two Saphures iiij balacys viij pearlis and a crampon where the pearle stode, The pearle wt the king And nexte that An other flour de luce set wt an ymage of Cryste A Balace A poynted Diamonde thre pearlis and ij colletis The balace wt the king and next that An other Crosse set wt a course Saphure iiij balacys ix pearlis And a Collett The Emerade wt the king And next that an other flower Deluce sett wt an ymage of Criste wt a Balace a smalle poynted Diamounde thre pearlis and two Collettys the Balace wt the king Item oon the Diademe above twelf poynted diamoundys some better then the other thre Tryangled diamoundys oon table diamounde and xxviij pearlis two in A troche{{efn|A Troche. A cluster. This word often occurs in old Jewel lists; it is a French word, and is still extant in the form of ''Trochet''.}} poysaunt to gidders ...}}

It took the form of a closed crown, originally with two arches, with five crosses pattée alternating with five fleurs-de-lis. It was decorated with 344 jewels, gems and pearls, including 21 sapphires, 2 emeralds, 27 diamonds and 233 pearls of different sizes.<ref name="Historic Royal Palaces video" /> The 1521 inventory states that many of these jewels were held by Henry and not permanently kept in the crown.<ref name="The Ancestor 1902">{{cite journal |last1=St John Hope |first1=William Henry |author-link1=William Henry St John Hope |date=July 1902 |title=The King's Coronation Ornaments |url=https://archive.org/details/ancestorquarterl02unse/page/62/mode/2up |journal=The Ancestor; a Quarterly Review of County and Family History, Heraldry and Antiquities |volume=II |location=Westminster |publisher=Archibald Constable & Co |pages=63–81 |doi= |access-date=1 April 2025}}</ref>

In the centre petals of the fleurs-de-lis were gold and enamel figurines of the Virgin Mary, St George and three images of Christ.<ref name="The Ancestor 1902" /> Comparing the 1521 and 1547 inventories, it is evident that the crown was repaired and altered during this period.<ref name="The Ancestor 1902" /> Following the English Reformation, and in order to express the religious authority of the monarchy, the three figures of Christ were removed and replaced by three Kings of England: St Edmund, St Edward the Confessor and Henry VI, who at that time was also venerated as a saint.<ref name="Historic Royal Palaces video">{{cite AV media |date=30 October 2012 |title=The making of Henry VIII's Crown |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8uQ2lp2DBM |via=YouTube |publisher=Historic Royal Palaces |access-date=4 February 2025 }}</ref> The cap within the crown was of purple silk velvet and lined with black silk satin, with no fur on the cap, as noted in the 1547 inventory.<ref name="Historic Royal Palaces video" />

==Usage== Henry VIII wore the crown during court ceremonies, in particular at Christmas when Henry would process to chapel in his coronation regalia.<ref name="Historic Royal Palaces video" /> The crown was used at the coronation of Edward VI in 1547, the coronation of Mary I in 1553 and the coronation of Elizabeth I in 1559.<ref name="The Ancestor 1902" /> Both Edward VI and Mary I were crowned with three crowns in succession: first St Edward's Crown, second the Tudor Crown (termed the "Imperiall crowne" in contemporary accounts) and finally in "very rich" crowns made specifically for each of their coronations.<ref name="The Ancestor 1902" /> Three crowns were also present at the coronation of Elizabeth I, and she was probably crowned in the same fashion as her predecessors.<ref name="The Ancestor 1902" /> James I reverted to the tradition of being crowned with St Edward's Crown only before donning his own crown to depart Westminster Abbey.<ref name="Nichols 1828 Vol 1">{{cite book |last=Nichols |first=John |date=1828 |title=The Progresses of King James the First in Four Volumes |volume=I |url=https://archive.org/details/progressesproce01nichgoog/page/232/mode/2up |location=London |publisher=J.B. Nichols |pages=232–233 |isbn= |access-date=6 April 2025 }}</ref> James annexed the Tudor Crown (termed "the Imperiall Crowne of this Realme") along with his own crown and some other jewels to the Crown in 1606,<ref name="Nichols 1828" /> and the Tudor Crown featured in many portraits of Charles I.<ref name="Historic Royal Palaces video" />

==Destruction== Following the abolition of the monarchy and the execution of Charles I in 1649, the Tudor Crown was broken up by order of parliament under the supervision of Sir Henry Mildmay.<ref name="Davenport 1897" /><ref name="Archaeologia 1806">{{cite journal |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |date=1806 |title=An Inventory and Appraisement of the Plate in the Lower Jewel House of the Tower, Anno 1649. Communicated by the Rev. John Brand, Secretary, from the original MS. in his Possession |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/archaeologia/article/abs/xxiv-an-inventory-and-appraisement-of-the-plate-in-the-lower-jewel-house-of-the-tower-anno-1649-communicated-by-the-rev-john-brand-secretary-from-the-original-ms-in-his-possession/AAA3AC88C5C6AFB2645EA474756531AB |journal=Archaeologia |volume=15 |publisher=The Society of Antiquaries of London |location=London |pages=271–290 |doi=10.1017/S0261340900018415 |access-date=1 April 2025|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The gold frame was melted down and turned into coins while the jewels were sold off in packets,<ref name="Historic Royal Palaces video" /> raising £1,100.<ref name="Davenport 1897" /> According to an inventory drawn up for the sale of the king's goods, it weighed 7 lb 6 oz troy ({{cvt|{{#expr: 7 * 12 + 6}}|ozt|lb kg|disp=out|sigfig=3}}).<ref name="Davenport 1897">{{cite book |year=1897 |first=Cyril |last=Davenport |title=The English Regalia |publisher=Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co. |pages=4–5 |url=https://archive.org/details/englishregalia00daveuoft/englishregalia00daveuoft/page/4/mode/2up }}</ref> A second copy of the parliamentary records gives slightly different valuations and also provides more detail, noting the image of the Virgin Mary in one of the fleur-de-lis.<ref name="Antiquarian Repertory 1780">{{cite book |last= |first= |date=1780 |volume=III |title=The Antiquarian Repertory: A Miscellany, Intended to Preserve and Illustrate Several Valuable Remains of old Times. Adorned With Elegant Sculptures. |url=https://archive.org/details/antiquarianreper03gros/page/84/mode/2up |location= |publisher= |pages=84–85 |isbn= |access-date=5 February 2025}}</ref> The crown featured in several ''vanitas'' paintings following the abolition of the monarchy.

One of the royal figurines may have survived: a statuette of Henry VI matching the contemporary depiction of the crown was uncovered in 2017 by metal detectorist Kevin Duckett. The location, "at Great Oxendon...between Naseby and Market Harborough",<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news/mechanic-metal-detector-finds-original-4951420 |title=Mechanic with metal detector finds 'original crown jewel' from Henry VIII and more in field |date=1 February 2021 |work=Leicester Mercury |access-date=2 February 2021 |quote=}}</ref> was on the route taken by Charles I of England as he fled after the Battle of Naseby and may have been lost at that time. The figurine was likely featured on Henry VIII's crown according to some sources.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://cruxnow.com/church-in-uk-and-ireland/2021/02/treasure-hunter-finds-piece-likely-to-have-been-part-of-crown-of-henry-viii/ | title=Treasure hunter finds piece likely to have been part of crown of Henry VIII }}</ref> As of February 2021, the figure was being held at the British Museum for assessment and further research. According to historian and Charles I biographer Leanda de Lisle, "the crown was melted down on the orders of Oliver Cromwell but it is believed the figurine – which was one of several adorning the royal treasure – could already have been removed."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aspectsofhistory.com/the-gold-king/ |first=Leanda |last=De Lisle |title=The Gold King: is this part of the lost Tudor Crown? |work=Aspects of History|date=4 January 2021 |access-date=30 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/amateur-treasure-hunter-unearths-missing-centerpiece-henry-viiis-crown-180976902/ |title=Amateur Treasure Hunter Unearths Missing Centerpiece of Henry VIII's Crown |date=1 February 2021 |work=Smithsonian |access-date=2 February 2021 |quote=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leicestershire-55890488 |title=Unearthed figurine 'could be from Henry VIII's crown' |date=1 February 2021 |work=BBC News |access-date=2 February 2021 |quote=}}</ref>

==Replica== In 2012, Historic Royal Palaces used the historic written inventories of the royal jewels along with portrait paintings featuring the crown to commission a replica.<ref name="Historic Royal Palaces video" /> It was made by retired Crown Jeweller Harry Collins using 344 pearls and gemstones and employing authentic Tudor metalworking techniques.<ref name="Historic Royal Palaces video" /> Other examples of 16th century goldsmith work were used to inform the fine details, particularly the Crown of Scotland.<ref name="Historic Royal Palaces video" /> It is exhibited as part of an exhibition within the Chapel Royal at Hampton Court Palace.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/explore/henrys-crown |title=Henry VIII's Crown at Hampton Court Palace |publisher=Historic Royal Palaces |access-date=5 February 2018 }}</ref>

The replica is made of solid silver with a hard gold plating and gilded with a fine gold finish in order to recreate how the crown would have appeared in gold.<ref name="Historic Royal Palaces video" />

==Heraldry== {{see also|The Crown#Symbolism|Crown (heraldry)#Commonwealth usage}} [[File:ArbfaisTuduriaid.jpg|thumb|Arms of Henry VII of England, painted {{c.}}1589]] The heraldic depictions of the royal crown have undergone many changes in their form and enrichment. The crown began to assume its present form in the reign of Henry V.<ref name="Boutell 1983">{{cite book |last=Boutell |first=Charles |author-link=Charles Boutell |editor-last1=Brooke-Little |editor-first1=J. P. |editor-link1=John Brooke-Little |date=1983 |edition=Revised |title=Boutell's Heraldry |url=https://archive.org/details/boutellsheraldry0000bout_y2m5/page/184/mode/2up |location=London and New York |publisher=Frederick Warne |pages=184–185 |isbn=0723230935}}</ref> Henry V's crown consisted of a jewelled circlet heightened by four crosses pattée alternating with eight fleurs-de-lis in pairs, and two arches springing from behind the crosses and supporting at the top a mound and cross.<ref name="Boutell 1983" /> In some reigns, additional arches were used, and the number of crosses pattée and fleurs-de-lis varied. By the reign of Charles I, the heraldic crown was depicted similarly to the Tudor Crown which had four crosses pattée alternating with four fleurs-de-lis, and also four arches rising almost to a point, the arches being studded with pearls. This crown was destroyed during the English Civil War.<ref name="Boutell 1983" />

After the restoration of the monarchy, Charles II based both his state crown and heraldic crown on the new St Edward's Crown of 1661.{{efn|The original St Edward's Crown had been destroyed with the abolition of the monarchy in 1649.}} It had four crosses pattée alternating with four fleurs-de-lis; the number of arches was reduced to two and the curvature of the arches was depressed at the point of intersection. On this pattern the royal crown was depicted until the reign of Queen Victoria.<ref name="Boutell 1983" /> Although Fox-Davies states that the St Edward's Crown is supposed to be heraldically represented over the royal arms and other insignia because "it is the 'official' crown of England",<ref name="Fox-Davies" /> various other crowns were depicted under Victoria, whose coronation, unusually, did not feature the St Edward's Crown at all.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mears |first1=Kenneth J. |last2=Thurley |first2=Simon |last3=Murphy |first3=Claire |title=The Crown Jewels |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r1GJnAEACAAJ |year=1994 |publisher=Historic Royal Palaces |asin=B000HHY1ZQ |page=23}}</ref> Early depictions of the Royal Arms during her reign featured the Imperial State Crown which was created for Victoria's coronation in 1838 and was similar to the St Edward's Crown but with a flatter top.<ref name="Boutell 1983" /><ref>{{Royal Collection|630740|The Imperial Crown of Great Britain}}</ref> However, depictions varied depending on the artist.<ref name="Fox-Davies" />

In 1876, Victoria was proclaimed Empress of India, and in 1880, the heraldic crown was altered to give it a more imperial form by making the arches semi-circular.<ref name="Boutell 1983" /><ref>{{Cite web |publisher=Senate of Canada |title=The Rose and Crown: Parliament's royal symbols, part one |url=https://sencanada.ca/en/sencaplus/how-why/the-rose-and-crown-parliaments-royal-symbols-part-one/ |access-date=2023-11-16 |website=SenCA+ Magazine|language=en |date=May 2023}}</ref> However, Victoria had favoured a Tudor style crown since at least the 1860s.<ref name="Boutell 1864" >{{cite book |last=Boutell |first=Charles |author-link=Charles Boutell |date=1864 |title=Heraldry, historical and popular |url=https://archive.org/details/heraldryhistoric01bout/page/332/mode/2up |location=London |publisher=Richard Bentley |pages=320, 332 |quote=The ''Heraldic Crown'' which enjoys the Royal favour, differs from both No. 562, and the State Crown, No. 624, and inclines to the type of an earlier time; this Heraldic Crown of our Most Gracious Sovereign is represented in No. 334, page 332, ensigning the Royal Shield of Arms.}}</ref><ref name="Debrett's Illustrated Peerage 1865">{{cite book |date=1865 |title=Debrett's Illustrated Peerage of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_jrmY_qqD84C&pg=PR19 |location=London |publisher=Bosworth |page=xix |isbn=}}</ref> Victoria had featured in William Wyon's gothic crown coin in 1847,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baldwin.co.uk/news/victoria-gothic-crown-1847/ |title=Victoria Gothic Crown, 1847 |last=Booth |first=James |date=19 March 2019 |website=Baldwin's |publisher= |access-date=29 June 2024 }}</ref> and the Palace of Westminster, rebuilt from 1840 to 1876, makes extensive use of a gothic style crown. The British had assumed direct rule over India in 1858, and the Order of the Star of India, created in 1861, depicted a Tudor Crown from its inception.{{sfn|Boutell|1864|loc=[https://archive.org/details/heraldryhistoric01bout/page/352/mode/2up p. 352]}} Victoria had a new crown made in 1870 which resembled the Tudor Crown,<ref>{{Royal Collection|31705|Queen Victoria's Small Diamond Crown}}</ref> declining to wear the Imperial State Crown which she found heavy and uncomfortable.<ref name="Fox-Davies" />

{{multiple image | align = center | total_width = 620 | image1 = Heraldic crown of Queen Victoria 1865.png | caption1 = A heraldic crown of Queen Victoria from 1865, one of several used during Victoria's reign<ref name="Debrett's Illustrated Peerage 1865" /><ref name="Boutell 1864" /> | alt1 = A heraldic crown of Queen Victoria from 1865 | image2 = Complete Guide to Heraldry Fig642.png | caption2 = The authorised heraldic crown of 1901 which was standardised across the British Empire<ref name="Fox-Davies" /><ref name="Genealogical Magazine 1902" /> | alt2 = The authorised heraldic crown of 1901 | image3 = 2022 pattern Tudor Crown (3D).svg | caption3 = The heraldic crown of 2022 with a plain circlet, differently arranged jewels, and larger crosses and ermine<ref name="Royal Cypher" /><ref name="Symbols of State Guidance 2023" /> | alt3 = The heraldic crown of 2022 with a plain circlet, differently arranged jewels, and larger crosses and ermine }}

After the accession of Edward VII, the War Office raised the issue of a standardised design of the crown for use by the British Army, there being in use several crowns of different patterns.<ref name="Genealogical Magazine 1902">{{cite journal |orig-date=First published July 1901 |year=1902 |title=The Royal Arms and Cypher for the Present Reign |url=https://archive.org/details/genealogicalmaga5190unse/page/92/mode/2up |journal=The Genealogical Magazine |volume=5 |pages=93–94 |publisher=Elliot Stock |doi= |access-date=28 June 2024 }}</ref> On 4 May 1901, the king approved a single Tudor Crown design based on the crown of Henry VII, as "chosen and always used by Queen Victoria personally".<ref name="Fox-Davies" /><ref name="Genealogical Magazine 1902" /> The design of the crown and the new royal cypher was issued as a sealed pattern by the War Office rather than by the College of Arms.<ref name="Genealogical Magazine 1902" /> The 1901 pattern crown depicted a thin ermine lining below a golden circlet holding a crimson cap; the circlet jewelled with an oblong shaped ruby in the centre between two oval emeralds and two oblong sapphires on the outside. Each jewel is separated by two small vertically arranged pearls. Above the jewels, an invected line and a band supporting two fleurs-de-lis between three crosses pattée, each cross studded with a pearl in the centre. There are nine larger pearls on each of the outer half-arches and five pearls on the central half-arch. The outer arches rise in a semi-circle, with no depression or flattening, to support a mound, while the central half-arch widens as it rises, appearing to sit slightly above the outer arch. The mound is an emerald banded in gold topped with a small golden cross which is centrally studded with a small pearl.<ref name="Boutell 1950">{{cite book |last=Boutell |first=Charles |author-link=Charles Boutell |editor-last1=Scott-Giles |editor-first1=C. W. |editor-link1=Wilfrid Scott-Giles |date=1950 |edition=Revised |title=Boutell's Heraldry |url=https://archive.org/details/boutellsheraldry0000unse/page/184/mode/2up |location=London and New York |publisher=Frederick Warne & Co Ltd. |page=184 |isbn=}}</ref>{{sfn|Boutell|1950|loc=[https://archive.org/details/boutellsheraldry0000unse/page/n253/mode/2up Plate XVI]}}{{sfn|Bedingfeld|1993|loc=[https://archive.org/details/heraldry0000bedi/page/132/mode/2up p. 132]}} The coronet of the Prince of Wales created for the 1902 coronation<ref>{{Royal Collection|31710|The Prince of Wales's Coronet, worn by King George V and King Edward VIII when Princes of Wales}}</ref> was heraldically represented similarly to the 1901 pattern crown, minus the central half-arch.{{sfn|Boutell|1950|loc=[https://archive.org/details/boutellsheraldry0000unse/page/n253/mode/2up Plate XVI]}}

George VI had ceased to use the style "Emperor of India" in 1948 following India's independence in 1947,<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=38330 |date=22 June 1948 |page=3647}}</ref> and on the accession of Elizabeth II in 1952, she opted to change from the 1901 Tudor Crown to a design resembling St Edward's Crown, similar to that last used before the reign of Victoria.<ref name="Boutell 1983" /><ref>{{cite book |last=Bedingfeld |first=Henry |author-link= |date=1993 |title=Heraldry |url=https://archive.org/details/heraldry0000bedi/page/122/mode/2up |location=Leicester |publisher=Magna Books |page=123 |isbn=978-1854224330}}</ref>

[[File:State coat of State Trumpeter of the Household Cavalry (detail).jpg|thumb|The 2022 Tudor Crown on the uniform of a state trumpeter of the Household Cavalry]] Charles III adopted the Tudor Crown on his accession in 2022, similar to that last used under George VI but with some differences.<ref name="Royal Cypher">{{cite web |date=27 September 2022 |title=Royal Cypher |url=https://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/news-grants/news/item/205-royal-cypher |website=College of Arms |access-date=11 July 2024}}</ref><ref name="Symbols of State Guidance 2023">{{cite web |url=https://publicsafetyfoundation.uk/uploads/ciiir_state_symbols_guidance_july_2023.pdf |title=Symbols of State Guidance |author= |date=July 2023 |website=The Public Safety Foundation (UK) |publisher= |access-date=19 July 2024 }}</ref> The circlet is plain with larger jewels, crosses and ermine. In addition to being larger, the jewels in the circlet are arranged differently to the 1901 pattern and in different shapes. In the centre is a sapphire between two emeralds, and the outermost jewels are rubies, mirroring the heraldic St Edward's Crown of Elizabeth II.<ref name="Royal Cypher" />{{sfn|Boutell|1983|loc=[https://archive.org/details/boutellsheraldry0000bout_y2m5/page/n255/mode/2up Plate XVI]}} The sapphire and rubies are in a rhombus shape rather than oblong, while the emeralds are oval in shape.<ref name="Royal Cypher" /> Unlike the 1901 Tudor Crown, the mound is solid gold rather than emerald banded in gold.{{sfn|Boutell|1983|loc=[https://archive.org/details/boutellsheraldry0000bout_y2m5/page/n255/mode/2up Plate XVI]}} The cap of the heraldic crowns is always represented as crimson, regardless of the colour of any actual crowns.<ref name="Fox-Davies" />

Badges for the British armed forces featuring the Tudor Crown design were announced in March 2023 in time for the coronation in May.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.army.mod.uk/news-and-events/news/2023/03/his-majesty-the-kings-coronation-heralds-new-era-for-british-army-cap-badges/ |title=His Majesty The King's Coronation heralds new era for British Army cap badges |date=30 March 2023 |website=British Army |access-date=12 August 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2023/march/30/230329-kings-cypher-and-crown |title=His Majesty the King's cypher to be worn during coronation parade |date=30 March 2023 |website=Royal Navy |access-date=12 August 2024}}</ref> However, the ''Financial Times'' reported in June 2024 that the rollout of the new British Army cap badges had been delayed by fears that badges manufactured in China may contain tracking devices or transmitters.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rathbone |first=John Paul |date=15 June 2024 |title=British army delays King Charles cap badges over China spying fears |url=https://www.ft.com/content/11272883-8a52-4730-9842-666c886ba8b8 |work=Financial Times |location=London |access-date=12 August 2024}}</ref> The Cabinet Office released guidance for the use of the Tudor Crown by UK police forces and other Crown institutions in July 2023.<ref name="Symbols of State Guidance 2023" /> In Canada, a specifically Canadian design was unveiled which takes inspiration from the Tudor Crown but differs significantly in detailing and has been controversial.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ivison |first=John |date=2 May 2023 |title=John Ivison: Federal government strips religious symbols from crown adorning Royal Coat of Arms |url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/canada-strips-religious-symbols-from-crown-on-coat-of-arms |work=National Post |location= |access-date=21 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{citation| url=https://www.cpmccreery.com/papercrown| last=McCreery| first=Christopher |author-link=Christopher McCreery | title=Canada's Paper Crown: A Faux Symbol of Authority| accessdate=5 August 2023}}</ref> The Tudor Crown design was rolled out in the Australian Defence Force from 2025.<ref>{{cite web |author= |date=1 August 2025 |title=Defence emblems reflect new reign |url=https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2025-08-01/defence-emblems-reflect-new-reign |website=Department of Defence |location= |publisher= |access-date=2 December 2025 }}</ref>

Under section 4 of the Trade Marks Act 1994, images of the royal crowns may not be used in a trade mark in the UK (or in a country which is party to the Paris Convention) without permission.<ref name="Trade Marks Act 1994 s.4">{{Cite legislation UK |type=act |year=1994 |chapter=26 |act=Trade Marks Act 1994 |section=4 |accessdate=25 July 2024 }}</ref> Section 99 of the act also restricts business use of images of the crowns in a way which is calculated to give the impression that the user is an employee of, or a supplier to, the King or a member of the royal family.<ref name="Trade Marks Act 1994 s.99">{{Cite legislation UK |type=act |year=1994 |chapter=26 |act=Trade Marks Act 1994 |section=99 |accessdate=25 July 2024 }}</ref> The Lord Chamberlain's Office governs the use of depictions of the royal crowns and also maintains a selection of images which may be used without infringement.<ref name="Royal Arms restrictions">{{cite web |url=https://www.royal.uk/use-of-royal-arms |title=Use of Royal Arms, Names and Images |author= |website=The Royal Family |publisher=The Royal Household |access-date=19 July 2024 |archive-date=5 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905142231/https://www.royal.uk/use-of-royal-arms |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Gallery== ===In portraiture=== <gallery> File:Charles I (1600–1649), King of England MET 06.1289.jpg|Charles I depicted with the Tudor Crown, by Daniël Mijtens, 1629 File:Van Dyck Charles I and Henrietta.JPG|1632 portrait of Charles I and Henrietta Maria by Anthony van Dyck File:Anthony van Dyck (1599-1641) - Charles I and Henrietta Maria with their two eldest children, Prince Charles and Princess Mary - RCIN 405353 - Royal Collection.jpg|Family of Charles I depicted with the Tudor Crown, by Anthony van Dyck 1632 File:Daniel Mytens I - Charles I - 118-1916 - Saint Louis Art Museum.jpg|Charles I depicted with the Tudor Crown, Daniël Mijtens, 1633 File:Anthony van Dyck (1599-1641) - Charles I (1600-1649) - RCIN 404398 - Royal Collection.jpg|Charles I depicted with the Tudor Crown, Anthony van Dyck, 1636 File:Anthony van Dyck - Portrait of Charles I, King of the Great Britain.jpg|Charles I depicted with the Tudor Crown, after Anthony van Dyck, 1638 File:Hendrick Andriessen - Vanitas still life with a skull, a Roman emperor's bust, a crown, a wreathed skull, a vase of flowers, a document, a watch and a St George's medal.jpg|Vanitas by Hendrick Andriessen, 1640–1655 File:Hendrick Andriezsoon 002.jpg|Vanitas by Hendrick Andriessen, {{c.}}1650–1655 File:Peter Lely - Portrait of Charles II of England.jpg|Charles II depicted with the Tudor Crown, painted after its destruction, Peter Lely, {{c.}}1670<ref>{{Royal Collection|401223|Charles II (1630-85)}}</ref> File:King Charles II of England (1630-1685).TIF|Charles II, John Riley, between circa 1683 and circa 1684 Johan Joseph Zoffany (Frankfurt 1733-London 1810) - George III (1738-1820), Queen Charlotte (1744-1818) and their Six Eldest Children - RCIN 400501 - Royal Collection.jpg|George III and his family depicted in 'Vandyke dress' with the Tudor Crown by Johan Zoffany, 1770 </gallery>

== Notes == {{notelist}}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{commons category-inline}} {{Commons category|Tudor Crown in heraldry}} * [https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/whats-on/henrys-crown/ Replica] at Hampton Court Palace * ''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8uQ2lp2DBM The Making of Henry VIII's Crown]'' a video by Historic Royal Palaces * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GW7AlLNljmw&t=265s The Lost Crown of Henry VIII] a video by Allan Barton The Antiquary * [http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:335960 Download a 3D digital model] at Thingiverse * {{cite web |url=http://flagspot.net/flags/gb-crown.html |title=United Kingdom: Crowns on Flags |website=Flags of the World}}

Category:Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom Category:Individual crowns Category:Crowns in heraldry Category:Canadian heraldry Category:National symbols of the United Kingdom Category:Monarchy of the United Kingdom Category:Symbols introduced in 1901 Category:Henry VII of England Category:Henry VIII