When Edward, the future Edward VIII, was invested as Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle on the 13th July 1911, a single arched, silver gilt coronet, was used. It was intended that this coronet be used at the investiture of future Princes of Wales, but following Edward's abdication the coronet did not form part of the crown jewels.
Edward, Prince of Wales wearing the gold coronet used in the investiture.
The Duke of Windsor was in self imposed exile in France after his abdication on the 10th December 1936. He left for Europe the following day, not only did he take his private belongings, he took what was not his, the coronet used at his investiture, which stayed in his possession until his death in 1972.
A previous coronet, known as the Coronet of George, was made in 1901 for George, future George V as Prince of Wales to wear at the coronation of his father, Edward VII, in 1902. Apart from the Coronet of George, there was one other coronet owned by a Prince of Wales, this was the Coronet of Fredrick made for Frederick, Prince of Wales in 1728.
The Coronet of Fredrick
When Prince Charles, the present Prince of Wales, was invested at Caernarfon Castle on July 1969, a new coronet had to
be made. Fredrick's coronet was too fragile to be used and the coronet used in 1911 was 'unavailable.' To ask for its return
from the Duke of Windsor would have proved embarrassing and no doubt, Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, would not have entertained the idea. She had disliked both Edward and Wallis Simpson, she blamed them for the problems they caused the country but also for the distress they had inflicted on her husband. I imagine it was simpler to have a new coronet made
rather than have had any contact with the disgraced duke.
be made. Fredrick's coronet was too fragile to be used and the coronet used in 1911 was 'unavailable.' To ask for its return
from the Duke of Windsor would have proved embarrassing and no doubt, Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, would not have entertained the idea. She had disliked both Edward and Wallis Simpson, she blamed them for the problems they caused the country but also for the distress they had inflicted on her husband. I imagine it was simpler to have a new coronet made
rather than have had any contact with the disgraced duke.
The Coronet of Charles followed rules set in place by King Charles II. The Stuart king specified that it must have just two
half arches, rather than the traditional four and has at its centre a globe, over which a cross should stand.
half arches, rather than the traditional four and has at its centre a globe, over which a cross should stand.
The Coronet of Charles
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