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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To wonder if the crown in the coffin...

107 replies

Muezza · 16/09/2022 13:35

Is the real thing or a replica?

Obviously if someone attempted an elaborate heist to steal it they'd have all the guard and police on them in a split second, im just really curious!

OP posts:
AFIK · 16/09/2022 13:52

Fairly sure it’s real, as the crown jeweller is going to be at Windsor on Monday to take it back to the Tower of London. Or so I read.

ApolloandDaphne · 16/09/2022 13:53

It is real.

carefullycourageous · 16/09/2022 14:02

It will be real. They have to do all of this to preserve the wonder, if it ever got out it was a replica that would be very bad PR.

BorgQueen · 16/09/2022 14:03

Of course it’s real, you can’t fake the way it sparkles in the candle light. I’ve seen it in The Tower along with the other crown jewels, it’s magnificent.

Quveas · 16/09/2022 14:12

BorgQueen · 16/09/2022 14:03

Of course it’s real, you can’t fake the way it sparkles in the candle light. I’ve seen it in The Tower along with the other crown jewels, it’s magnificent.

And, of course, stolen.

BasiliskStare · 16/09/2022 14:14

It's real - I just wonder how they have kept it from falling off.

edwinbear · 16/09/2022 14:15

I want to know how it was secured when it was balancing on top of the coffin whilst it was being carried. You couldn't take the risk of it falling of mid-maneuverer, but presumably sticking pins/glue/blue tac isn't an option either.

RoseAndRose · 16/09/2022 14:15

Of course it's the real one

agriefobserved · 16/09/2022 14:15

It's real. They must have a block of wood that they've wedged it on to prevent it from falling off.

edwinbear · 16/09/2022 14:16

manoeuvre*

Plexie · 16/09/2022 14:17

Do you mean on the coffin? Yes, I think it's the genuine crown, orb and sceptre.

@Quveas What do you mean by stolen? Are you thinking of the Koh-I-Noor diamond? It's not in that crown, it's in the Queen Mother's crown.

westcoast · 16/09/2022 14:20

BasiliskStare The coffin was especially made about 30 years ago I think. It has an anchor system for the crown.

“The brass handles and other fitments, which include clasps to hold the Imperial State Crown, orb and sceptre in place when they are placed on the coffin for the lying in state, are thought to have been made by the Birmingham foundry Newman Brothers, which is no longer in business.”

LemonLymanDotCom · 16/09/2022 14:27

Forget is the crown real, I’m wondering if she’s actually in the box? I doubt it

starfishmummy · 16/09/2022 14:30

edwinbear · 16/09/2022 14:15

I want to know how it was secured when it was balancing on top of the coffin whilst it was being carried. You couldn't take the risk of it falling of mid-maneuverer, but presumably sticking pins/glue/blue tac isn't an option either.

I was just reading one of those Internet news things yesterday. Allegedly when George V was lying in state, the coffin was jolted and the cross that is the top part of the crown fell off.

Apparently the next king took it as a bad omen.
But I imagine after that they are sure it's secure!!

Wheresmywoolyjumpers · 16/09/2022 14:33

Been wondering about the possibility of it falling off, so thanks for the info!

BasiliskStare · 16/09/2022 14:36

@westcoast - thank you - I thought there would have been a plan .

7Worfs · 16/09/2022 14:36

Something I learned today - the Imperial State Crown has never been appraised or insured, but it’s estimated to be worth £3-5 billion. It’s probably the most recognisable and valuable piece of jewellery in the world.

I’m slightly nervous that it’s not insured!

Wafflesnsniffles · 16/09/2022 14:37

Its on not in.
Yes its the real one.
Yes shes "actually in the box"

toomuchlaundry · 16/09/2022 14:41

When did they add the orb and sceptre?

Phos · 16/09/2022 14:42

7Worfs · 16/09/2022 14:36

Something I learned today - the Imperial State Crown has never been appraised or insured, but it’s estimated to be worth £3-5 billion. It’s probably the most recognisable and valuable piece of jewellery in the world.

I’m slightly nervous that it’s not insured!

Imagine the premiums on that

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 16/09/2022 14:42

BasiliskStare · 16/09/2022 14:14

It's real - I just wonder how they have kept it from falling off.

Duct tape is my guess.

megletthesecond · 16/09/2022 14:43

It's probably held on with cable ties.

BlackForestCake · 16/09/2022 14:44

7Worfs · 16/09/2022 14:36

Something I learned today - the Imperial State Crown has never been appraised or insured, but it’s estimated to be worth £3-5 billion. It’s probably the most recognisable and valuable piece of jewellery in the world.

I’m slightly nervous that it’s not insured!

Why would it be insured?

If anything happens to it, the State would pick up the bill. The UK has deeper pockets than any insurance company.

Lots of organisations (universities, etc.) don’t insure their property. If you have the financial reserves to do it, it is much cheaper in the long term to have a fund for emergencies than to pay insurance premiums.

FlipFlopShopInHawaii · 16/09/2022 14:45

Wafflesnsniffles · 16/09/2022 14:37

Its on not in.
Yes its the real one.
Yes shes "actually in the box"

Thank you! I was wondering how everyone was seeing this sparkly, glittering crown that was in the coffin!

@7Worfs can't imagine which insurance company would want to take on that risk? Although the premium would be very high 🤯

Plexie · 16/09/2022 14:45

I’m slightly nervous that it’s not insured!

Some things are so valuable, it's not cost-effective to insure them. You'd spend more on premiums year after year than the cost of replacing the item if it were stolen, so it's cheaper to take your chances and hope the worst doesn't happen.

And in the case of Imperial State Crown, some of the stones wouldn't be replaceable anyway. So if it were stolen, you wouldn't be able to buy equivalent stones to replace all the stolen ones.

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