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No other accessory symbolizes a queen better than her crown. Over the course of her 60 years as the British Commonwealth's reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II has donned some stunning royal regalia, and carried it off with effortless style.
Crowns are, not surprisingly, reserved for the most important occasions -- they have been used historically to symbolize the wearer's supreme status, governing right and sometimes, diving being. Aesthetically, they instantly set royalty apart from their subjects with their ornate design, precious materials and jewels. And an added bonus: crowns make the wearer look taller.
Queen Elizabeth's ascension to the British throne was marked by a grand coronation ceremony on June 2, 1953 (she assumed her title the year before after the death of her father, King George VI) -- reportedly the first to be televised. As she celebrates her Diamond Jubilee this weekend, we thought it only fitting to take a look at the majestic crowns and tiaras she's worn over the years. We're not the only ones with a fascination for the bejeweled headwear -- famed UK department store Harrods has created a special Diamond Jubilee window display with unique crowns by top designers.
Correction: A previous version of this story stated incorrectly that the Queen ascended the throne following Edward VIII's abdication, when in fact she ascended following the death of her father in 1952.
Have a look at Queen Elizabeth's royal headwear below. If you must wear a crown of your own this weekend, read Tatler's quick tips on how to pull one off.
Queen Elizabeth II's Crowns
The coronation(01 of24)
(FILES) Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (L) and Prince Philip pose on the Queen's Coronation day, 02 June 1953, in Buckingham Palace, in London. Queen Elizabeth II was set Thursday 20 December 2007, to become the oldest monarch, overtaking her great-great grandmother Queen Victoria amid signs the royal family is preparing for life after 81-year-old 'Lillibet'. Victoria died in 1901 aged 81 years and 243 days, and Elizabeth will mark passing the milestone with neither pomp nor ceremony, spending the day as usual with her husband of 60 years, Prince Philip. AFP PHOTO/FILES (Photo credit should read STRINGER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Diamond Jubilee Floral Crown Installed In St. James's Park(02 of24)
A woman admires a large floral crown made to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in St James's Park on May 29, 2012 in London, England. The four meter high floral crown took five weeks to construct and weighs approximately five tonnes; it was constructed in Cornwall using 13,500 individual plants. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
A lego figure of Queen Elizabeth II -- with diamond crown!(03 of24)
A 10cm high lego figure of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, complete with a real diamond-encrusted crown, is pictured at the Legoland theme park in Windsor, west of London, on May 24, 2012. The Queen's Diamond Jubilee will take place June 2-5, 2012, and celebrations will include a festival of boats on the river Thames and the lighting of more than 2,000 beacons around the country during a four-day public holiday. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty)
Imperial State Crown(04 of24)
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II wearing the Imperial State Crown walks through the Royal Gallery toward the Chamber of the House of Lords in the Palace of Westminster during the State Opening of Parliament in London on May 9, 2012. Britain's Queen Elizabeth II unveiled the coalition government's legislative programme in a speech delivered to Members of Parliament and Peers in the House of Lords. AFP PHOTO / POOL / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty)
Order of the British Empire(05 of24)
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II attends a service for the Order of the British Empire, at St Paul's Cathedral in London, on March 7, 2012. The Queen is the Sovereign of the Order of the British Empire, and the Duke of Edinburgh is Grand Master of the Order. AFP PHOTO / LUKE MACGREGOR/POOL (Photo credit should read LUKE MACGREGOR/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
A crown for a State Dinner(06 of24)
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (L) smiles at the State Dinner with Irish President Mary McAleese (R) and Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron at Dublin Castle in Dublin on May 18, 2011. Queen Elizabeth II extended her 'deep sympathy' to all those who have suffered in the turbulent intertwined history of Britain and Ireland, in the keynote speech on May 18 of her historic state visit. AFP PHOTO/PETER MUHLY (Photo credit should read PETER MUHLY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
She even lends them out(07 of24)
Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, wearing the 1936 Cartier 'halo' tiara which was lent to her by Queen Elizabeth II walks out of the West Door of Westminster Abbey following her marriage to Britain's Prince William in London on April 29, 2011. AFP PHOTO / CARL DE SOUZA (Photo credit should read CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
The royal crown visits Canada(08 of24)
TORONTO, ON - JULY 05: Queen Elizabeth II gives a speech during a dinner at the Royal York Hotel on July 5, 2010 in Toronto, Canada. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh are on an eight day tour of Canada starting in Halifax and finishing in Toronto. The trip is to celebrate the centenary of the Canadian Navy and to mark Canada Day. On July 6th, the royal couple will make their way to New York where the Queen will address the UN and visit Ground Zero. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
House of Lords address(09 of24)
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II speaks during her address to the house of Lords, during the State Opening of Parliament in Westminster, central London on May 25, 2010. Britain's Queen Elizabeth II set out the new coalition government's legislative programme on Tuesday in a ceremony of pomp and history following the closest general election for decades. AFP PHOTO/Leon Neal/Pool (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Crown in a carriage(10 of24)
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, is driven in a horse drawn carriage, to the Houses of Parliament, for the State Opening of Parliament, in central London on May 25, 2010. Britain's Queen Elizabeth II set out the new coalition government's legislative programme on Tuesday in a ceremony of pomp and history following the closest general election for decades. AFP PHOTO/CARL DE SOUZA (Photo credit should read CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Birds-eye view(11 of24)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 18: Britain's Queen Elizabeth II leaves the Houses of Parliament after delivering her speech at the annual State Opening of Parliament on November 18, 2009 in London, England. Queen Elizabeth II unveiled the Government's legislative programme in a speech delivered from the Throne in The House of Lords. This new session of Parliament will only last until the general election which has to be called by June 3, 2010. (Photo by Toby Melville/WPA Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
A dash of crown colour(12 of24)
Britain's Queen Elizabeth is pictured before an official diner with the Slovenian President at Brdo Castle on October 21, 2008. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip are on a two-day official visit to Slovenia. AFP PHOTO Srdjan Zivulovic/pool (Photo credit should read SRDJAN ZIVULOVIC/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
A wedding day gift(13 of24)
A diamonds and silver tiara given to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II on her wedding day 20 November 1947 by Queen Mary is displayed 27 July 2007 in London.To mark the 60th anniversary of marriage of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Buckingham Palace will open its doors to the public for a special Summer Exhibition 28 July 2007 in which the wedding day in 1947 will re-created with archive footage and costumes on display. AFP PHOTO / SHAUN CURRY (Photo credit should read SHAUN CURRY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
A wedding day gift(14 of24)
London, UNITED KINGDOM: A diamonds and silver tiara given to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II on her wedding day 20 November 1947 by Queen Mary is displayed 27 July 2007 in London.To mark the 60th anniversary of marriage of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Buckingham Palace will open its doors to the public for a special Summer Exhibition 28 July 2007 in which the wedding day in 1947 will re-created with archive footage and costumes on display. AFP PHOTO / SHAUN CURRY (Photo credit should read SHAUN CURRY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Crown solo(15 of24)
LONDON - NOVEMBER 15: HRH Queen Elizabeth II's crown is transported from Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament for the state opening on November 15, 2006 in London. The Queen officially opens the next session of Parliament which is to be Prime Minister, Tony Blair's last before he stands down as leader. (Photo by Bruno Vincent/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Timeless sparkle(16 of24)
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II rides in a carriage 13 November 2002 as she leaves Buckingham Palace to travel to the House of Lords to outline the government's plans for the next year's legislation. AFP PHOTO POOL EPA/PA/KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH (Photo credit should read KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Another view(17 of24)
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is seen at the House of Lords during the State Opening of Parliament 23 November 2004, in London. The British government announced Tuesday a range of new measures to fight global terrorism and organised crime, as Queen Elizabeth II set out its new legislative agenda. (Photo credit should read RUSSELL BOYCE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Carries the crown(18 of24)
LONDON - NOVEMBER 23: Britain's Queen Elizabeth II smiles as she looks out of the window of her horse drawn carriage as she leaves the Houses of Parliament after delivering her annual speech at the State Opening of Parliament November 23, 2004 in London, England. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
With Bill Clinton(19 of24)
US President Bill Clinton and Britain's Queen Elizabeth II smile for the cameras during the group photo session at the Guildhall 04 June 1994 prior to a celebratory banquet for the 50th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Normandy. (Photo credit should read GERRY PENNY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
With the Bushes(20 of24)
US President George Bush (R) talks to Great Britain's Queen Elizabeth II as they stand with First Lady Barbara Bush (L), 14 May 1991, in Washington, DC, as the queen and her husband Prince Philip arrive at the White House for a state dinner. (Photo credit should read J. DAVID AKE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
A crown for Chretien(21 of24)
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II poses with (L-R) Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, South African President Nelson Mandela and New Zealand Prime Minister James Bolger late 10 November prior to a dinner with Commonwealth heads of government. The Queen hosted the dinner for the CHOGM heads in Auckland before leaving for home at the end a 10-day royal visit to New Zealand. (Photo credit should read /AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Royal accessory(22 of24)
French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing (R) chats with Queen Elizabeth II at a dining table of the French Embassy, in London, on June 25, 1976, during the last day of the official visit of the French President and his wife. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read ARCHIVE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Queen's speech regalia(23 of24)
The Queen Elizabeth II, dressed in royal regalia, posed for this special Jubilee picture in the Throne Room of Buckingham Palace, after she had delivered the traditional Queen's speech at the 1976 official State Opening of Parliament. She wears the Imperial State Crown and the Robe of State, also known as the Parliamentary Robe. Around her neck is the Jubilee Necklace of diamonds and pearls and the chain is the Collar of the Order of the Garter, Britain's premier order of Knighthood. Her gown is of white silk with bands of gold and silver embroidery. (Photo credit should read /AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
The crown is hers alone(24 of24)
(FILES) Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (L) accompanied by Prince Philip waves to the crowd, 02 June 1953, after being crowned solemnly at Westminter Abbey in London. Queen Elizabeth II was set Thursday 20 December 2007, to become the oldest monarch, overtaking her great-great grandmother Queen Victoria amid signs the royal family is preparing for life after 81-year-old 'Lillibet'. Victoria died in 1901 aged 81 years and 243 days, and Elizabeth will mark passing the milestone with neither pomp nor ceremony, spending the day as usual with her husband of 60 years, Prince Philip. AFP PHOTO/FILES (Photo credit should read STRINGER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)