Queen's crown to go on display

A crown familiar to millions after being worn by the Queen on postage stamps is to go on display at Buckingham Palace.

The Diamond Diadem, which has been worn by the Queen on her journey to and from the state opening of Parliament since the first year of her reign, will be part of an exhibition to celebrate her 60 years on the throne.

Diamonds: A Jubilee Celebration will show the many ways in which the jewels have been worn by British monarchs over the last two centuries.

The exhibition includes a number of the Queen's personal jewels, which she inherited or acquired during her reign.

The Diamond Diadem is one of the Queen's most widely recognised pieces of jewellery and can also be seen on some banknotes and coins.

Despite its feminine associations it was made for the famously extravagant coronation of George IV in 1821 at a cost of more than £8,000.

Set with 1,333 brilliant-cut diamonds, including a four-carat pale yellow brilliant, it consists of a band with two rows of pearls either side of a row of diamonds, above which are diamonds set in the form of a rose, a thistle and two shamrocks - the national emblems of England, Scotland and Ireland.

In 1837 the diadem was inherited by Queen Victoria, who was frequently painted and photographed wearing it, including on several early postage stamps such as the Penny Black.

It continued to be passed down the generations of the Royal Family before being given to the Queen.

The exhibition is part of the annual summer opening of Buckingham Palace and runs from June 30 to July 8, and then July 31 to October 7.