Are the Crown Jewels real?
Jul 16th, 2004, 06:53 AM
#21
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(slightly related)
For anyone who wants to take a try at stealing the Crown Jewels, without risking death or imprisonment, there are at least two great games:
OUTGRAGE! Steal the Crown Jewels---a family board game
Traitor's Gate--a PC/Mac computer simulation
Both are fun for anyone interested in the Tower of London.
For anyone who wants to take a try at stealing the Crown Jewels, without risking death or imprisonment, there are at least two great games:
OUTGRAGE! Steal the Crown Jewels---a family board game
Traitor's Gate--a PC/Mac computer simulation
Both are fun for anyone interested in the Tower of London.
Jul 16th, 2004, 07:20 AM
#22
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When we went to the Ceremony of the Keys last Sept, at the end there was an armed guard in camouflage who went up behind the guards and around the building. We were told he was one of several, since of course they were guarding the Crown Jewels.
Jul 16th, 2004, 07:50 PM
#23
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Patrick is not the only one who has wondered if the jewels on display are copies. This from my 1994 diary:
?As a result of our early start, we were at the Tower long before it opened and had to satisfy ourselves with a walk across Tower Bridge. When the Tower did open, we were among the first in and headed straight for the Jewel chamber. This we had almost to ourselves -- try breaking the glass and you will find out how alone you are! We stood on the moving pavement and were slowly taken past the crowns and sceptres.
All rather spoilt by (my wife) saying ?The real ones must be lovely!? It took me some time to explain that these were the real ones, she though the Queen kept them in her dressing table!?
There are copies of the Crown Jewels, I remember seeing them in 1954 or ?55 when they toured the Commonwealth following the coronation. To an impressionable teenager they looked very real, but I can?t compare them with the real thing, seen some 40m years later.
?As a result of our early start, we were at the Tower long before it opened and had to satisfy ourselves with a walk across Tower Bridge. When the Tower did open, we were among the first in and headed straight for the Jewel chamber. This we had almost to ourselves -- try breaking the glass and you will find out how alone you are! We stood on the moving pavement and were slowly taken past the crowns and sceptres.
All rather spoilt by (my wife) saying ?The real ones must be lovely!? It took me some time to explain that these were the real ones, she though the Queen kept them in her dressing table!?
There are copies of the Crown Jewels, I remember seeing them in 1954 or ?55 when they toured the Commonwealth following the coronation. To an impressionable teenager they looked very real, but I can?t compare them with the real thing, seen some 40m years later.
Jul 17th, 2004, 03:11 PM
#24
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And I believe, from distant memory, there is an exhibition somewhere with the copies on show, which may be the source of confusion.
Incidentally, for those who haven't been, the moving pavement is on one side of the display case - there's nothing to stop you going round the other side on foot for another look (apart from the possible press of numbers from other people there, of course - I don't know if someone comes along to chivvy you out if you look as though you've been there too long).
The crown itself comes out not only for the State Opening of Parliament each year, but also I believe for the Queen to get a chance to rehearse - it weighs quite a lot. I have heard tell - from someone I trust - that, early one morning before the State Opening, one of the duty policemen at the Palace was being nipped and harried, with a great deal of noise, by the corgis. Suddenly, he heard a piercing whistle - at which the dogs stopped - and turned to see the Queen herself with her fingers in her mouth, in her nighty, and the crown on her head....
Incidentally, for those who haven't been, the moving pavement is on one side of the display case - there's nothing to stop you going round the other side on foot for another look (apart from the possible press of numbers from other people there, of course - I don't know if someone comes along to chivvy you out if you look as though you've been there too long).
The crown itself comes out not only for the State Opening of Parliament each year, but also I believe for the Queen to get a chance to rehearse - it weighs quite a lot. I have heard tell - from someone I trust - that, early one morning before the State Opening, one of the duty policemen at the Palace was being nipped and harried, with a great deal of noise, by the corgis. Suddenly, he heard a piercing whistle - at which the dogs stopped - and turned to see the Queen herself with her fingers in her mouth, in her nighty, and the crown on her head....
Jul 18th, 2004, 06:04 PM
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Ha! I arrived in London two weeks ago when the Queen was making her "Diana reconciliation" speech in Hyde Park, in honor of the new Diana memorial there. The Evening Standard was talking about how Earl Spencer got on at the event with members of the royal family. The paper said something like "although they briefly shook hands, it was clear that Prince Charles and Earl Spencer detested each other" but that the Queen had made it a point to chat with Earl Spencer. The Queen's speech about Diana was a little late in coming, don't you think? And the Prince of Wales, well, he's got his char lady, no doubt! Whatever turns you on!
