Coronet, an inferior sort of crown worn by persons of princely or noble rank, as a crown properly so called is worn by a sovereign. In England, coronets were worn by peers as far back as the reign of Edward III. ; but the definite form given to the coronets of the different orders of the peerage is of later date, as is also the practice of placing within the coronet a cap of crimson velvet lined with ermine and surmounted by a gold tassel. The use of coronets by barons began in the reign of Charles II. Peers wear their coronets on the occasion of the coronation of a sovereign ; and they are placed over representations of their arms, this being done even in the case of peers by courtesy. In 1665 Charles II. granted warrants to the Scottish and Irish kings of arms for the peers of those kingdoms to wear coronets similar to those of peers of England.
The following are the distinctive forms of the coronets in use in the United Kingdom : The coronet of the Prince of Wales differs from the royal crown only by the absence of one of the points of more considerable height, with a pearl set on each, alternating with as many strawberry-leaves on the rim below. A viscount's coronet has sixteen, and a baron's six pearls set directly on the rim. The so-called pearls are always made of silver. No coronet belonging to a peer not of the royal family should be adorned with jewels.
The term ducal coronet is sometimes applied in heraldry to a decorative coronet like that of a duke, but with only three leaves, and without the cap, out of which (in place of out of a wreath) the crest issues.
The coronets of continental nobility are without caps, and otherwise differ somewhat from those in use in Great Britain. They are only used in blazonry, and are not worn on state occasions. The coronet of a French duke is like that in use in England, that of a marquis has three strawberry or parsley leaves alternating with three pearls, while a count's coronet has nine pearls. German dukes arch their coronets, and German counts often elevate their pearls. The coronet of the Dauphin of France was heightened with fleurs-de-lis, and arched with four or sometimes eight dolphins.