Queen Victoria’s £5 million coronet to go on display – see pictures of stunning item

Many members of the Royal Family have been spotted wearing luxury tiaras from the royal collection, although this is usually only reserved for very special occasions.   Although a lot of jewels have stayed in the family, a coronet worn by Queen Victoria was reportedly bought for an undisclosed sum after being given the asking price of £5 million.   Royal enthusiasts will soon be able to see the coronet as the buyer has gifted the lavish piece to a UK museum to be put on display.    Fans will be able to feast their eyes upon the sapphire and diamond piece, which once held a lot of meaning to Queen Victoria. 

The coronet will go on display for the first time ever at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum from 11 April.

It first made it’s way to Victoria as a gift from William and Judith Bollinger and was very special to the monarch as it was designed by her husband, Prince Albert, in 1840. 

The diamond-encrusted crown looked incredibly lavish and featured a stunning display of sapphires spread along the bottom of the crown. 

In the 1800s, the image of the coronet became widely recognised after Victoria wore it in a portrait by Franz Xaver Winterhalter which was reportedly carried around the world to share the image of the young queen. 

What’s more, the coronet clearly meant a lot to the queen who is said to have worn it instead of her usual crown when opening Parliament for the first time after the death of Prince Albert.

The sentimental coronet is sure to draw the crowds when it goes on display to the public for the first time and expert, Eddie LeVian, CEO of celebrity jeweller Le Vian, shared why it will be so popular. 

“Royal jewels hold a special appeal not just because they symbolise rarity, status and power, but because what everyone wants to know is this: If I ruled the world, how would I adorn myself?” Eddie said. 

“Precious jewellery is the most personal symbol of a woman’s individuality, and often the status she seeks.”

The coronet is set to go on display as part of the V&A jewellery gallery that will re-open this week after being closed for refurbishments.

Eddie said: “The enduring popularity of the V&A’s jewellery gallery,is proof that jewellery is the world’s most relatable form of art and creativity. Just look at any archeological dig, the jewels are always there. 

“From amulets to fashion statements to opulent royal treasures, jewels have touched all of humanity for millennia.” 

Another lavish royal tiara will soon available for the public as an 115-year-old tiara is going on sale. 

The luxury item was made as a wedding gift for Princess Alexandra of Hanover and Cumberland from her husband Germany’s Frederick Francis IV, the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.

It will appear at Christie’s in Geneva on May 15 alongside other gems, but it will not come cheap with the pre-sale estimate price of $230,000 to $340,000, or £260,280.

Usually the royal jewellery is reserved for members of the family, but it is reported that Meghan Markle, 37, has now been banned from wearing pieces from the collection. 

The Queen is said to have assured William, the heir to the British Throne, that Meghan will not wear any pieces worn by Princess Diana, according to Sun journalist Dan Wootton who discussed the story on ITV’s Lorraine.