Britain's Queen Elizabeth before an official dinner with the Slovenian President on October 21, 2008.
Perhaps the ultimate power accessory, the crown has been donned for centuries to denote royalty. Early Oriental cultures popularized the diadem, an ornamental headband that was a precursor of sorts to the crown. In Greco-Roman times, a wreath of vines or flowers was used to adorn the heads of warriors or athletes. The style evolved through the Middle Ages in various forms of metal and jewels until it was widespread among European monarchies.