Controversial reason Queen Camilla will wear crown already in use for first time in recent history

Queen Camilla will wear a crown that has already been used during this weekend’s coronation ceremony.

For the first time in history, the Queen Consort will wear Queen Mary’s 1911 crown with new gems added from the Royal Collection.

While many have praised the decision, there’s a surprisingly controversial reason behind the choice of accessory.

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It’s not the only contentious item linked to the coronation this weekend.

In fact, the sceptre used by King Charles III during the ceremony features a 530-carat diamond which has been at the centre of a long repatriation dispute.

Originally discovered in Pretoria, the Cullinan I diamond was gifted to the Royal Family when South Africa was under British rule.

Also known as the 'Great Star of Africa', many have argued that the precious stone should be displayed in a museum close to where it was unearthed, rather than remain in the Royal Collection.

Since the announcement of the coronation, over 8,000 South Africans signed a petition demanding the gem be returned.

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There have also been calls for the Koh-i-Noor to be returned after similar disputes about the acquisition of one of the world’s biggest diamonds.

Ending up in the hands of Queen Victoria during the colonisation of India, the 105-carat stone now sits in the Crown of Queen Elizabeth (The Queen Mother).

Reserved for heads of state, the crown was last seen at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral last year and was placed on her coffin during ceremony.

Due to the potential backlash over the diamond’s origin and her new role, the Queen Consort will not wear the crown this weekend - despite it regularly being used by the monarch’s spouse during coronation ceremonies.

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Rather than risk a possible diplomatic row with India and public backlash over a new crown, Queen Consort Camilla will instead wear Queen Mary’s 1911 crown.

This will mark the first time since the 18th century that a Queen Consort's crown has been reused.

Speaking about this on the Court Jeweller website, writer and historian Lauren Kiehna said the Royal Family were concerned about ‘political pressure’.

"They clearly don't want to add to the political pressure surrounding the diamond, which has been claimed by several different countries as their own rightful property," she wrote, adding: “The Royals certainly don't want the legal arguments over the Koh-i-Noor to be the focus of the narrative during the coronation."

Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace have released a statement which insists that the choice was made in the ‘interests of sustainability and efficiency’.

While we might not get to see one of the world’s biggest diamonds on the day, Royal fans can expect to see the Queen Consort wearing the crown along with other incredible jewels from the late Queen Elizabeth’s collection.