Crown Jewels: London's Royal Treasures and Where to See Them

When you think of the Crown Jewels, the collection of ceremonial royal regalia used in British coronations and state events. Also known as the Regalia, it includes crowns, scepters, orbs, and swords worn by monarchs for over 800 years. These aren’t just shiny objects—they’re symbols of power, continuity, and national identity, locked away in a fortress that’s seen kings, queens, traitors, and wars.

The Tower of London, a historic castle on the River Thames that once served as a royal palace, prison, and armory. Also known as the Tower, it’s where the Crown Jewels have been kept since the 14th century. You won’t find them in a glass case at a museum downtown—they’re guarded 24/7 by Beefeaters inside the Jewel House, behind bulletproof glass. Over 23,000 people visit daily just to see the Imperial State Crown, which holds the 317-carat Koh-i-Noor diamond. The Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross? It’s got the 530-carat Cullinan I diamond—the largest clear-cut diamond in the world. These aren’t replicas. They’re real, and they’ve been touched by kings who ruled empires.

But the Crown Jewels don’t exist in a vacuum. They’re tied to the Royal History London, the centuries-long legacy of the British monarchy, from medieval coronations to modern state ceremonies. Walk the same stone corridors where Anne Boleyn was imprisoned, or stand where Charles I was sentenced to death. The Tower isn’t just a vault for jewels—it’s a living archive of betrayal, power, and ritual. And if you want to understand the Crown Jewels, you need to understand the place that holds them.

People come to London for the big names—the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben—but the real pulse of royal heritage? It’s here, in this ancient fortress. You’ll see the same crown Queen Elizabeth II wore in 1953, still used today by King Charles. The same scepter that symbolized authority during the Tudors still rests in the same spot. That’s not just history—it’s continuity.

And while the Crown Jewels are the star, the Tower’s story runs deeper. It’s where the Crown’s power was forged—in blood, in politics, in ceremony. The same place that held the Princes in the Tower also kept the regalia safe during wars. That’s why this isn’t just a tourist stop. It’s a gateway to understanding how Britain became what it is.

Below, you’ll find real guides from locals who’ve been there—not just the postcard version, but the quiet moments, the best times to go, how to avoid the crowds, and what else to see nearby. Whether you’re planning your first visit or you’ve walked the Tower’s walls before, you’ll find something new here. Because the Crown Jewels aren’t just objects. They’re the heart of a story that still beats in London today.