Hi Puzzlers,
The whole world is talking about the recent marriage of Prince William to Catherine “Kate” Middleton. Their engagement and marriage captured and continues to capture tons of media attention. For a lot of people, myself included, this has been a pleasant distraction from everyday life. Those two kids are just so darn lovable! Our office discussions and new puzzle got Jill and me thinking about the “Crown Jewels.”
Was Kate’s borrowed tiara part of that collection? It was made in 1936 for King George VI for his then Duchess (Queen Elizabeth-The Queen Mother). Princess Elizabeth received the tiara from her mother on her 18th birthday. Kate had several crown choices and, yes, this one is considered part of the Crown Jewels. WOW! It brings the “something borrowed” to a whole new level!
The whole world is talking about the recent marriage of Prince William to Catherine “Kate” Middleton. Their engagement and marriage captured and continues to capture tons of media attention. For a lot of people, myself included, this has been a pleasant distraction from everyday life. Those two kids are just so darn lovable! Our office discussions and new puzzle got Jill and me thinking about the “Crown Jewels.”
Was Kate’s borrowed tiara part of that collection? It was made in 1936 for King George VI for his then Duchess (Queen Elizabeth-The Queen Mother). Princess Elizabeth received the tiara from her mother on her 18th birthday. Kate had several crown choices and, yes, this one is considered part of the Crown Jewels. WOW! It brings the “something borrowed” to a whole new level!
The term Crown Jewels refers to a collection of regalia and vestments (garments) worn by the sovereign during the coronation ceremony and at other state functions. “The collection contains crowns, sceptres, orbs, swords, rings, spurs (think cowboys here), colobium sindonis ( white sleeveless shirt), dalmatic (a Deacon's long white robe), armill (bracelets), and the royal robe and several other items related to the ceremony.” The largest and most impressive collection of Crown Jewels belongs to the British Monarch.
These famous jewels are kept at the Tower of London, which isn’t a actual tower but an fortress with six foot thick walls and portcullises. Prior to 1671 the jewels were kept in the Martin Tower. The towers were changed after an attempted robbery by Colonel Thomas Blood and three accomplices. Thomas pretended to be a Parson and hid the Crown Jewels under his cloak. All three men were caught and Thomas refused to speak with anyone but King Charles, who later released Blood and gave him a royal pardon and pension. Rumor has it that the King was behind the robbery, due to his lack of funds.
Two of the most famous diamonds in the world are among this collection-the Great Star of Africa discovered in Africa, in 1905, and the Kohinoor Diamond. The Great Star of Africa, also referred to as the Cullian diamond, weighed in at an impressive 530.20 carats after it was cut! Next is the Kohinoor, which weighs 108.93. This diamond was set in a special crown commissioned by the Queen Mother in 1937.
Ladies, how would you like to have that kind of jewelry box?
Happy Puzzling!
Photograph:©2011 Rune Hellestad/Corbis...This new puzzle will be available the week of 5/17/11!
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