A sapphire and diamond coronet crown designed in 1840 for Queen Victoria by her husband Prince Albert will be exported abroad unless millions of pounds are raised to keep it in Britain, the government's culture department warned Sunday.

Matt Hancock, minister of state for digital and culture, has issued a temporary export ban in an urgent bid to keep the coronet in the country.

The coronet, considered one of the most important jewels during Queen Victoria's reign, was designed by Prince Albert for their wedding.

Hancock said: "Queen Victoria's coronet is stunning. It is one of the most iconic jewels from a pivotal period in our history and symbolizes one of our nation's most famous love stories. I hope that we are able to keep the coronet in the UK and on display for the public to enjoy for years to come."

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said Sunday: "The coronet was given by King George V and Queen Mary to Princess Mary on her marriage to Viscount Lascelles in 1922. It was later sold to a dealer in London, who sold it to the export licence applicant."

The coronet designed by Prince Albert is at risk of being exported from Britain unless a buyer can be found to match the asking price of 5 million pounds, plus 1 million pounds to cover Value Added Tax, a total of around 7.9 million U.S.dollars.

The coronet matched the sapphire and diamond brooch that Albert gave to Victoria the day before their wedding. She noted in her journal: "My dear Albert has such good taste and arranges everything for me about my jewellery."

Most of the stones came from jewellery given to Victoria by King William IV and Queen Adelaide. The goldsmith behind the coronet was Joseph Kitching, who made it for 415 pounds (545 U.S.dollars).

Following Albert's death in 1861, Queen Victoria refused to attend the State Opening of Parliament until 1866 when she wore the famous coronet, likely as a reminder of her husband, said the DCMS.

The coronet and the brooch feature in one of the most famous official portraits of the young Queen Victoria. The artist Franz Xaver Winterhalter painted the portrait in 1842, in which she wears the coronet wrapped around her hair. The painting became one of the defining images of the Queen throughout the world.

The decision to defer the export licence follows a recommendation by the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (RCEWA) because of the coronet's close connection with British history and its outstanding significance for the study of the young Victoria.

Committee member Philippa Glanville said: "It evokes vividly the shared romantic taste of the time, and its form has become familiar through many reproductions. Its departure would be a great loss, given its beauty, its associations and its history."

The decision on the export licence will be deferred until December 27, though this can be extended if a serious purchaser comes forward.