Canterbury jeweller Ortwin Thyssen with his handmade Jubilee Crown

by Gerry Warren

His business may not be able to boast ‘by Royal Appointment’, but the Queen would surely approve of jeweller Ortwin Thyseen’s homage in miniature to the Diamond Jubilee.

The craftsman has painstakingly created a tiny £4,000 replica of her Coronation Crown - the St Edward’s Crown 1661 from the Crown Jewels Collection.

Measuring just one inch tall, it is made of 18ct yellow gold and platinum and has 80 tiny diamonds and other semi-precious stones.

It took a week to make by hand under a microscope in the workshop of his shop in Palace Street, Canterbury, and will be the crowning glory of his window display during the Jubilee celebrations and Olympics.

He said: “We are a very versatile and enthusiastic team in our workshop and we wanted to take up the challenge of creating something to celebrate this forthcoming unique occasion.”