Crowning Wisdom: Queen Mary's

The Crown of Queen Mary was made for King George V’s queen-consort in 1911, who is our King’s great-grandmother. It was worn by our current queen at their Majesties’ coronation in 2023. Curiously, it has eight arches which may be removed; Queen Camilla opted for four. These, too, may be removed, so it can be worn in circlet form, which the late Queen Mary preferred after her husband’s death in 1936. It is somewhat art deco in style, and its stones can be replaced with cheaper crystals should they be needed in other crowns. It has held the famous Koh-i-Noor diamond, as well as the 94.4-carat Cullinan III and 63.6-carat Cullinan IV. The metal work is only silver gilt, rather than gold, so the various precious stones it held significantly altered its value.

The fluctuating worth of Queen Mary's Crown reminded me of E. E. Hewitt's 1897 hymn Will There Be Any Stars:

I am thinking today of that beautiful land,
I shall reach when the sun goeth down;
When thro' wonderful grace by my Saviour I stand,
Will there be any stars in my crown?

Chorus:
Will there be any stars, any stars in my crown
When at evening the sun goeth down?
When I wake with the blest in the mansions of rest,
Will there be any stars in my crown?

In the strength of the Lord let me labour and pray,
Let me watch as a winner of souls;
That bright stars may be mine in the glorious day
When His praise like the sea-billow rolls.

Oh, what joy it will be when His face I behold,
Living gems at His feet to lay down;
It would sweeten my bliss in the city of gold,
Should there be any stars in my crown.

It describes the ‘rewards’ that the Lord will distribute to those of His followers who have served Him faithfully (as opposed to a great many- known even to me- who serve him unfaithfully, or barely at all, if truly saved they be). Each believer will receive eternal rest from His Saviour, while others will receive commendation and praise on top. We shall each wear a crown, but some may sparkle brighter than others.