The Crown Jewels

The Crown Jewels you are heading toward are a collection of over one hundred objects containing more than twenty-three thousand gemstones. They represent the only working collection of royal regalia in Europe, meaning they remain in active use for state ceremonies like the crowning of a monarch or the opening of parliament. Because they are working objects rather than static museum artifacts, you might occasionally see signs indicating that specific pieces have been temporarily removed for use by the King. The collection is housed within the Tower of London, a fortress that has served as a secure treasury for royal valuables for over seven hundred years.