Crowning Wisdom: Prince of Wales (1902)

The Crown of the Prince of Wales from 1902 (not 1969) is a rather old-fashioned object, and made for the future King George V at his father Edward’s coronation of that year. It has a silver-gilt frame with the upper border decorated by alternating four crosses-pattée and four fleurs-de-lis. Its design was established by royal warrant in 1677, when Charles II decided that the heir's coronet would be limited to just the one arch, with a monde and cross in the centre. This was to prevent the heir apparent from rivalling the monarch’s own majesty and dazzling headdress. Although not displeasing to behold, it is certainly a simpler, plainer object than that worn by kings.

One day the righteous will shine like the stars in the presence of the glorified Lord Jesus. Whatever splendour they have will only ever be inferior to His. Yet this simple statement of proportion and ratio seems lost on a great many Church leaders who seem to regard themselves as little gods, crowns and all. I do not just mean popes with their luxurious gowns, thrones and crowns, but even local pastors, who think that crossing them is to oppose Christ Himself.

Remember, thou art just a man.