Crown Jeweller
The Crown Jeweller is a member of the Royal Household appointed by the British monarch. He or she is responsible for the maintenance and, when they leave the Tower of London, security, of the regalia, plate, and fonts which make up the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. Except for the monarch, only the Crown Jeweller is authorised to handle the Crown Jewels; others may do so with his or her permission.[1] The office holder is on call day and night, all year round to attend to the Jewels.[2] William Summers, the fifth incumbent (1962–91), said of his job: "Where the Crown goes, there go I".[1]
The post was created in 1843 by Queen Victoria, who issued a royal warrant to Garrard & Co., and the title of Crown Jeweller was vested in an employee of the company.[3] Until then, Rundell & Bridge had been charged with preparing the objects for use at state occasions and their maintenance in general.[4] To celebrate Garrard & Co.'s 150th anniversary as the warrant holder, a banquet attended by the Princess Royal was held at Goldsmiths' Hall, London, in 1993.[1]
In 2007, Buckingham Palace announced that Garrard & Co.'s services were no longer required, the reason cited being that it was time for a change.[5] The company had been acquired by a private equity firm in 2006.[6] Family business G. Collins & Sons were appointed as the new Crown Jewellers.[7] In 2012, Martin Swift of Mappin & Webb became the eighth Crown Jeweller after Harry Collins gave up the role.[8]
References
- ^ a b c Diana Scarisbrick (1993). "Diana Scarisbrick on Garrard's 150 years". Country Life. Vol. 187 (48–51 ed.). p. 53.
- ^ Christopher Middleton (2 June 2012). "How the Queen's man about crowns brought sparkle to her celebrations". The Telegraph. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
- ^ Vivienne Becker (28 March 2012). "Jewellery duty". How To Spend It. Financial Times. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
- ^ Gordon Campbell (2006). The Grove Encyclopedia of Decorative Arts. Oxford University Press. p. 409. ISBN 978-0-19-518948-3.
- ^ James David Draper (2008). Cameo Appearances. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art. p. 55. ISBN 978-1-58839-282-4.
- ^ "Garrard to lose Royal Jeweller role". Evening Standard. 10 February 2007. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
- ^ Julia Robinson (18 July 2007). "Family firm fit for the Queen". The Telegraph. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
- ^ Richard Eden (15 July 2012). "The Queen appoints new Crown Jeweller". The Telegraph. Retrieved 8 December 2015.