To many, a “Crown” or “Tiara” is symbolic of a Royal Title.  To the Calgary Stampede, the white hat was the crown of choice for its royalty for many years. 

Over the years, rhinestone pins (diadems) and small rhinestone tiaras were used on the Queen’s hat.  In the 1970s, crowns were beaded on to the fur-felt hats to create the “Royal” look.  Then in 1978, the Queens’ Alumni group proposed the creation of three crowns to be handed down each year.  A joint effort with the Stampede Queen Committee saw the 1979 Trio crowned for the 1st time with the official crowns of the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede.

The 50th Anniversary of Stampede Royalty was celebrated in 1996 and to celebrate the Stampede Queen committee created three new crowns.  These crowns are intricately engraved and alike in every aspect, except their reference to Queen / Princess, to reflect the equality of the titles.  When the 1979 crowns were retired, the names of each of the 17 young women who wore each crown were engraved on the inside of the band.