The original brow band was called a diadem. They were worn by Persian emperors and later worn by Constantine I and Roman emperors there after. Pharaohs of Egypt wore crowns as well.

There are numerous references to crowns in the Holy Bible. In the Bible several passages mention some being given a crown of righteousness and a crown of life.

In the Catholic religion there is a crown called The Triple Tiara. It is a symbol of papacy. Pope John Paul VI was the last to be crowned in 1963. His successors since then have chosen not to wear the crown.

The most well known crown wearers would have to be the royalty of Europe. These crowns have historically been encrusted with precious gems and diamonds. When a member of the royal family assumes the throne, they are given a crown during a coronation ceremony.

The British monarchy still upholds this tradition today, while other monarchies retain a crown as a national symbol of heraldry.

Lower ranks of the peerage in royal families also had smaller crowns, or coronets to adorn themselves. The princes and or princesses of a country almost always had them. In fairy tales, the princess always has a crown.

Little girls have long dreamed of being a princess and having a crown of her very own. Grace Kelly who was an American actress, married Prince Rainier of Monaco in 1956 and she had a crown. The world is still vividly remembering Princess Diana, married to Prince Charles of Wales.

She was often seen wearing her crown or coronet. These two princesses and their royal head dresses are the most remembered of our modern times. Queen Elizabeth still wears her crown on many state occasions.

Crowns have been playing a part in beauty pageants for years. The winners of beauty pageants are always given a crown or tiara. It is a high school tradition to crown a king and Queen of the senior prom. Tiaras are being sold in costume form and in jewelry stores.

They have recently become an elegant accessory for female formal wear. It would seem that it is no longer necessary to be a member of a royal family to have the honor of wearing one.