Queens Gallery

Royal crowns and sceptre

Symbols of imperial Majesty: St Edward's Crown, with 444 precious stones, remains one of the senior Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom, being the official coronation crown. Imperial State Crown, symbolises the sovereignty of the monarch, there have been several versions since the 15th century, similar to that of St Edward's Crown, but shorter and encrusted with jewels, precious gems, diamonds, pearls, sapphires, emeralds and rubies. State Crown of Queen Mary Consort of King George V of England. Imperial Crown of India, was the crown of three British sovereigns as Emperors of India during the final decades of the Indian Empire. Date: 1935

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

A set of 8 lithographs - WWI era

'A set of 8 lithographs in a folio. 1) Inscribed 'Private B. Miller, Queen's Westminsters, out since 1914', 2) Inscribed 'Of the Labour Battalion, 3) A soldier reading a newspaper, 4) A Scottish soldier writing a letter, 5) Two soldiers, 6) A group of 3 soldiers, 7) A thoughtful looking Tommy, 8) A group of 3 soldiers. . Sylvia Packard (1881-1962). Born In Ipswich, Trained At The Slade In London And Exhibited Her Paintings, Mostly Landscapes, Between 1909 And 1928. In 1916, Sylvia Took Over The Art Department At The Royal School For Officers' Daughters In Bath. On Her Retirement From The School, Sylvia Founded (With Rosalind Ord) A Firm Of Tile Manufacturers, Packard & Ord Which Later Became Marlborough Tiles.'

© David Cohen Fine Art/Mary Evans Picture Library

Royal Wedding 1947 - the cake

Wedding cake made by Mr F. Schul of McVitie and Price in Harlesden, London for the wedding of Princess Elizabeth to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten in November 1947. Measuring 9 feet high and 500lb in weight, the four-tier cake stood in 'State' to be photographed, guarded by police, chains and Mr. Schul himself. All the ingredients for the cake, which took ten hours to bake, came from the Dominions. The decoration took four to five weeks. Picture shows Mr Schul adding the finishing touches to the cake. Date: 1947

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans