Crown Jeweller

The Crown Jeweller is a member of the Royal Household appointed by the British monarch. He or she is responsible for the maintenance and, when they leave the Tower of London, security, of the regalia, plate, and fonts which make up the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. Except for the monarch, only the Crown Jeweller is authorised to handle the Crown Jewels; others may do so with his or her permission. The office holder is on call day and night, all year round to attend to the Jewels. William Summers, the fifth incumbent (1962–91), said of his job: "Where the Crown goes, there go I".

The post was created in 1843 by Queen Victoria, who issued a royal warrant to Garrard & Co., and the title of Crown Jeweller was vested in an employee of the company. Until then, Rundell & Bridge had been charged with preparing the objects for use at state occasions and their maintenance in general. To celebrate Garrard & Co.'s 150th anniversary as the warrant holder, a banquet attended by the Princess Royal was held at Goldsmiths' Hall, London, in 1993.

In 2007, Buckingham Palace announced that Garrard & Co.'s services were no longer required, the reason cited being that it was time for a change. The company had been acquired by a private equity firm in 2006. Family business G. Collins & Sons were appointed as the new Crown Jewellers. In 2012, Martin Swift of Mappin & Webb became the eighth Crown Jeweller after Harry Collins gave up the role.

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