King Charles delivered the first King’s Speech in over seventy years, and he was joined by his wife Queen Camilla. The event took place in the House of Lords, which was described as “pomp meets parliament,” says Global News host Jeff McArthur.
McArthur had a sit-down with royal expert Pastricia Treble, who said, “He (Charles) is very familiar with this. He has been going to State Openings of Parliament for fifty years. Even last year, when he subbed in for his ailing mum. But this is the first time he’s wearing the crown.”
Treble briefly summarized what was addressed in the speech, but thats not what got her attention, with Treble leaning into the fanfare, saying, “There was a lot of pomp, there was a lot of diamonds.”
McArthur’s co-host Carolyn Mackenzie asked Treble, “Can you tell us about Camilla’s tiara?”
The short answer is, it’s not a tiara. Nor is it a crown. It’s a diadem.
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Treble answers the initial question, politely correcting the TV presenter, saying: “I’m going to be honest, it was actually a diadem, which is basically a circlet, a bling-y circlet.”
“If it looks familiar, it’s because the late Queen used to always wear it to and from Parliament.”
“It was actually designed for a king, George IV, who loved the bling, the more diamonds the better, two hundred and two years ago. Since then though, it’s only been worn by queens, which is why she is wearing it.”
It was originally made for the coronation of George IV in 1821.
It has been worn by Queen Victoria, Queen Alexandra, Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth II and now Queen Camilla.
“Consisting of 1,333 diamonds, this sparkler is a true statement piece,” says auhor Rebecca Stoeker in her book, This is a Book for People Who Love the Royals.
Queen Elizabeth II wore it to her coronation in 1953. She also wore it when attending the State Opening of Parliament, just like Queen Camilla did earlier this week.
