Im not sure crown jewels cannot leave the country. In Denmark the Royal ladies have chosen not to take the crown jewels abroad, but that does not mean Elisabeth II could not take some of her crownjewels abroad (the actual crowns might be another matter). Queen Victoria was confronted with the fact that several pieces that had belonged to her grandmother Queen Charlotte and aunt Queen Adelaide were inherited by her uncle Ernest, King of Hanover. In order to prevent that another heiress would be faced with a similar situation she opted to leave a number of her jewels for the Queen (regnant or consort) of the UK. The abdication of Edward VIII showed that crownproperty is not considered personal property. When he abdicated his brother George VI did compensate him for Balmoral and Sandringham but not for the crownproperties (jewels included). The jewels Victoria left to the monarch or his consort imediately went to George VI and after his death went to Elisabeth II. The moment she dies (abdication seems unlikely in her case) the jewels go to Charles who no doubt will put them at the disposal of his consort Camilla.
--Previous Message-- : There is one thing that I don't understand : about British royal jewels: the jewels left : to the crown (Queen Victoria rubies for : example).Are they personal property of the : Monarch (although cannot be sold as if they : were in a Foundation) or are property of the : State and held in trust by the Monarch? : Certainly are not part of the Crown Jewels : because they were used outside UK. : Can anyone explain this? I find it very : confusing. :