The Queen man-handling the crown. #TheCoronation [1] 😃 pic.twitter.com/vAYAffHIXC [2]
— BBC One UK (@bbconeuk) January 14, 2018 [3]
In a rare interview with the BBC, Queen Elizabeth II shared memories of her coronation and came to grips, quite literally, with the Imperial State Crown that she wore on the day (and continues to wear for events like the state opening of parliament). In an unwittingly hilarious clip, the crown is gently placed in front of her by a member of her staff wearing gloves, and the queen wastes no time in grabbing hold of it. "This is what I do when I wear it!" she grins, spinning the crown round to admire the jewels.
"There are some disadvantages to crowns, but otherwise they're quite important things," she explains while describing exactly how to wear one (head up or you'll break your neck). She's later reunited with St Edward's Crown, which she wore only once, at the very moment of her coronation [5]. It's so precious it can only be held by the queen, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the crown jeweller. "Is it still as heavy?" she asks, before picking it up with one hand like it's just another piece of old costume jewellery. "It's very solid, isn't it?" she continues as she pokes at the edges of the intricate design.
The nation gasps in horror as The Queen manhandles The Queen jostles with The Crown #TheCoronation [6] pic.twitter.com/0CVtjPVdoO [7]
— Charlie Proctor (@MonarchyUK) January 14, 2018 [8]
Unsurprisingly, the people of twitter had a lot to say about the queen's relaxed attitude toward these priceless pieces.
Well I thought this was one I'd be turning over, but watching the Queen man handle the crown (which is what she does when she wants to wear it) after someone reverently picked it up with gloves for her was hilarious. Great program #TheCoronation [9] https://t.co/zKaMNdxCiv [10]
— Rach (@MissRachLou) January 14, 2018 [11]
Loving seeing the Queen do away with 'protocol' and poke and prod the crown like it was just another hat. #thecoronation [12]
— OldSparky (@OldSparky6) January 14, 2018 [13]
They've really upped the budget on The Antiques Roadshow #TheCoronation [14] pic.twitter.com/Pop4CTa3Bq [15]
— Nathan Kraemer (@kraen0044) January 14, 2018 [16]
I love that everyone on #TheCoronation [17] is treating the Crown Jewels with such care and reverence, with special gloves and everything. And then The Queen's just picking at it and shaking it about and tapping on the metal.
— Dominic Johnson (@dgwjohnson) January 14, 2018 [18]
The queen grabs the Crown like I grab for biscuits. #TheCoronation [19] pic.twitter.com/LeR1hBh6to [20]
— Siobhan Pipa (@siobhanpipa) January 14, 2018 [21]