Prussian Crown Jewels

Crown of William II, Hohenzollern Castle
Prussian Crown Jewels, Charlottenburg Palace

The Prussian Crown Jewels (German: Preußischen Kronjuwelen), is the royal regalia consisting of two crowns, an orb, and sceptre used during the coronation of the monarchs of Prussia from the House of Hohenzollern. After the King of Prussia became German Emperor on the establishment of the German Empire on 18 January 1871, they were no longer used as the position of King of Prussia while still remaining, was a title of minor importance compared to the new role as German Emperor. There was no crown for the German Empire, although a heraldic version existed.

In contrast with the lavish, heavily bejewelled crowns of other monarchies (e.g. British, Russian), the Prussian crown jewels were sometimes described as "rather plain".

Regalia

The regalia includes:

In the absence of further state regalia for the German Empire (1871–1918), the older royal Prussian Crown Jewels were sometimes also regarded as the German Crown Jewels:

Prussia became a part of the German Empire in 1871 and its king also became German emperor. The German Empire became a republic in 1918 and, at the same time, Prussia became part of the federal republic.

Most of the Prussian regalia are on public display in the Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin. The Crown of William II, in his role as King of Prussia, is kept at Hohenzollern Castle near Hechingen in Baden-Württemberg.

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