Kohinoor diamond crown placed on Queen's coffin

April 4, 2002

Updated on 2002-04-04 12:09:22

LONDON, April 04 (PNS): The Kohinoor-embedded Crown of the Queen

Mother will be placed on her coffin as a mark of tribute to her, the

palace sources said on Wednesday.

The crown was made for her to wear at the coronation of her husband

King George VI in 1937, though the controversial 105-carat oval cut

Kohinoor diamond was brought from India in 1849.

The 101-year old Queen Mother, who died on Saturday, had rarely worn

that crown, which is on display at the Tower of London as a tourist

attraction. The crown is normally kept along with others in a highly

secured glass case.

By the side of the case is a smaller case embedded in a wall that

displays the armband in which Maharaja Ranjit Singh once wore the

Kohinoor.

India has made repeated demands for the return of the Kohinoor,

saying it was taken away by subterfuge. Britain has, however,

steadfastly refused to oblige, reports PTI.

No male heir to the British throne has worn the Kohinoor following a

superstition that it brings bad luck to any male who wears it.

According to the funeral arrangement, a military spectacular

involving 1,600 servicemen and women will escort the Queen Mother's

coffin to lie in state at Westminster Hall.

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