Kings, queens and ancient leaders have worn crowns to display their authority and inherent right to rule. From Egyptian Pharaohs and Roman Caesars to modern British monarchs, countless rulers have worn these traditional royal headdresses.

Crown details are very important – the shape, size, and colors all have special meaning. For example, a “radiant crown” symbolizes the sun’s rays through its many spiked points. The Statue of Liberty wears such a radiant crown.

- Crown (diamonds, pearls & rubies) / Private Collection / Photo © Christie's Images / The Bridgeman Art Library

Tiaras are a type of crown, and they have been worn since the earliest of times. Their styles reflect the fashions of their cultures.

The early ones were tall and cone-shaped, highly decorated, and were worn by men. Kings, emperors and popes had them; but over the millennia, tiaras have become smaller and daintier and are now worn by women. Today’s tiaras look like miniature jeweled crowns. They encircle the head and are worn to special events – aristocratic ladies may still wear theirs to state functions.

Tiaras come in all sizes and shapes, and some are designed to be convertible – meaning they can be worn on top of the head as well as lowered around the forehead, or also inverted as a necklace. These multi-functional pieces are studded in jewels. Many are covered in diamonds, and several are also set with colored gems.

Originally worn by royalty, tiaras have been adopted in modern times by socialites and beauty queens alike. Even superstar musicians and actresses own them; however, at public events, it is still customary for only members of the royal family to wear theirs.

- Photo by Harold & Erica Van Pelt/GIA, courtesy Private Collection

Royal regalia can be special clothing, crown jewels, and other trappings of royal tradition – basically any regal object associated with the royal family. Many monarchies have state swords and shields, scepters and orbs, thrones, and sacred items that belong to their regalia.

Some regalia are only used during coronation ceremonies, and those are usually symbolic of power and authority. They also have great history to them, having been passed down from generation to generation. Special clothing, such as a coronation mantle, is considered a royal treasure.

Even colors were a part of regalia, and only royals were allowed to wear those special hues. In certain imperial courts, specific colors were reserved for emperors: in Rome, it was purple, and in China, it was yellow.

- King George IV, Standing in Garter Robes, c.1830 (oil on canvas), Lawrence, Thomas (1769-1830) / Royal Pavilion, Libraries & Museums, Brighton & Hove / The Bridgeman Art Library

Majestic monarchs have been pictured with scepters since ancient days. It was believed that gods, demigods, and legendary kings used them to wield power. There are carved images of early Egyptian pharaohs holding them, and this tradition has carried down throughout history to our modern kings and queens.

Scepters are symbolic of power. For the past several hundred years, British monarchs have carried two scepters to their coronations, one in each hand.

At the tip of most royal scepters is a decorative end piece that is often set with valuable gemstones, carved figurines, or both. Some are topped with a dove, a cross, an eagle, a combination of figures, or special crown jewels.

Some of these historic gems have interesting lore associated with them: for example, the huge Orlov Diamond (weighing approximately 190-carats!) that crowns the Russian imperial scepter is surrounded in mystery. One legend about this amazing rose-cut diamond claims that it was stolen from the eye of a Hindu idol in India. It was then sold to various owners for 25 years before Catherine the Great acquired it as a gift from one of her suitors, the Russian prince Gregory Orlov. Now known as the Orlov Diamond, it sits at the tip of the Russian imperial scepter as a cherished part of the Russian royal regalia.

- Sceptre of Peter I, Kremlin workshops, Moscow, last quarter of the 17th century (gold, filigree, enamel & precious stones), Russian School, (17th century) / Kremlin Museums, Moscow, Russia / Hirmer Fotoarchiv / The Bridgeman Art Library