We recently visited London and saw the Crown Jewels on display.  Some
people told us they were the real Crown Jewels, but others told us
they were fake, and that the real ones were kept safely somewhere
else.  It seems crazy that people would have to pay 80$ to go see
fakes!  What is the truth here?  Thank you for your help.

Numerous sources, including the official Tower of London website,
indicate that the actual Crown Jewels are on display there (unless
individual items are in use as part of a ceremony).  Replicas were
sent to a display in 1997.

"The British Crown Jewels (in replica) are the major attraction of a
British heritage exhibition took place in the historic Gallery
Building at Herrenhausen Royal Gardens, Hannover (Germany) from 14
April to 11 May 1997. The exhibition was the largest of its kind ever
presented in Europe. The collection contains replicas of all the
existing historic crown jewels and regalia the originals of which,
according to a 600 year old law, must never leave the country and can
therefore only be seen at the Tower of London. (The Scottish Crown
Jewels are kept at Edinburgh Castle, the Welsh in Cardiff.)"

"Collectible Jewels Newsletter" (August 2002)
http://www.collectiblejewels.com/newsletterAug02/newsletterAug02.html

"However, perhaps the most remarkable and unusual thing about this
collection is that it is not simply a museum display. Unlike most of
its European counterparts, the regalia of England is a working
collection that remains in active use today - 1,200 years after the
coronation of the first English kings. Indeed, on one or two days
during the year visitors to the jewel house will find an item or two
missing and in their place a small sign reading simply: 'In use'."

"The Crown Jewels" The Tower of London
http://www.tower-of-london.org.uk/webcode/content.asp?id=203

"Clive last saw the original Crown Jewels in London in 1983 in their
former home. In 1994 Queen Elizabeth opened the Jewel House in the
Water block at the Tower of London."

"England's Crown Jewels" International Art Treasures Web Magazine
(October 2003) http://www.iatwm.com/200310/CrownJewels/

"The actual Koh-i-Noor is kept at the Tower of London as the
centrepiece of the Maltese cross of the coronation crown made for the
Queen Mother in 1937. It was briefly shown on her coffin during her
funeral service."

"Unkind cut with Koh-i-Noor clone-Replica of original diamond to go on
display at British museum" by AMIT ROY, The Telegraph (June 26, 2005)
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050626/asp/frontpage/story_4917112.asp

Sincerely,

Wonko

I remember going into the totally-unlocked totally-deserted Great Hall
(of Methodism) (across the square from Westminster Abbey) and was the
only one there to look at replicas of the crown jewels. I never wanted
to stand in that effing long line to do the Tower (I've done London
thrice, once in the grand credit-card version).

And if you remember doing the Abbey alone, in those pre-terrorist
days, you remember those strange effigies of King William III
(standing on his stool, as I recall, since he was so short) next to
his wife Queen Mary II (who was also quite short), as well as those
effigies of the various Dukes of Buckingham of the first creation (or
is it the second creation), as well as the death-mask of Henry VI.
Westminster Abbey is a wonderful place to wander alone, as is the US
Capitol (no more, only with Homeland Security types following you).