Royalty

Behind the scenes: The 2018 Royal Wedding coin

On May 19 2018, His Royal Highness Henry of Wales will marry Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle. We are sharing the memories and capturing the moment on an official UK £5 coin, bearing a double portrait of Prince Harry and Meghan. Earlier this year we were granted a sitting with Prince Harry and Meghan to capture photographs. The sitting provided designer, Jody Clark with additional reference material to develop a coin design, celebrating the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Take a look…

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A century of Royal service – the House of Windsor

The House of Windsor came into being in July 1917 by proclamation of George V. Since then the House of Windsor has produced four monarchs who have reigned over the subjects of Britain and the Commonwealth for 100 years. Both George V and George VI dedicated their lives to the service of their country, as has Her Majesty The Queen, the nation’s longest reigning monarch.

In 2017 we celebrate a century of Royal service on a UK £5 coin, featuring a design based on the badge of House of Windsor approved by George VI. The House of Windsor has served the United Kingdom ever since the Royal Family took a new name in 1917 – we find out how and why this new dynasty was established.

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Royal Celebration Series: 1977, The Silver Jubilee

Royal Celebration Series: 1977, The Silver Jubilee

In 2017, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will have been our queen for 65 years. In reaching this milestone, she will become the first British monarch to reach their Sapphire Jubilee. In a series of blog posts we’re taking a trip down memory lane, recalling key anniversaries and celebrations from The Queen’s reign. The first installment of … Read more…

The Queen’s Christmas Message: A festive royal tradition

Since 1952, each December, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has delivered her Christmas message for the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. Over the years, the Christmas message has acted as a chronicle of global, national and personal events which have affected The Queen and the nation that year. Topics on the agenda in 2014, for example, included the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, the Tower of London poppy installation, the Commonwealth Games, the Scotland referendum and The Queen’s historic trip to Belfast.

As an eventful year for Her Majesty draws to a close, we look forward to the Christmas Day message and believe it’s fair to say there’s plenty to talk about in The Queen’s 63rd Christmas message – perhaps the most notable royal event and achievement of 2015 saw Her Majesty become Britain’s longest reigning monarch.

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Her Majesty The Queen becomes the UK’s longest reigning monarch

Her Majesty The Queen enters the record books today as she becomes the longest reigning monarch in British history. Her reign will exceed the length of Queen Victoria’s who was previously Britain’s longest reigning monarch, with a reign that spanned 63 years and 216 days – that’s a total of 23,226 days! Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Victoria are the only British monarchs to have celebrated their Diamond Jubilee (60 years on the throne), with King George III, King James VI and I, King Henry III and King Edward all having celebrated 50 years or more on the throne.

More than a century separates these two remarkable reigns, both of which come with some remarkable statistics – particularly when we take a look at coins. So, we thought we’d take a look at The Queen’s reign in numbers.

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Celebrating the milestones of our longest reigning monarch

On 9 September 2015, the nation will celebrate as Her Majesty The Queen officially becomes Britain’s longest reigning monarch. The Queen will beat the record set by her great-great grandmother Queen Victoria who reigned for 63 years and 216 days.

The Royal Mint has long had a close relationship with the Kings and Queens of Britain, striking the effigy of the monarch on coins for over 1,000 years. But the relationship doesn’t stop there… commemorative coins have been struck to celebrate key milestones in the life and reign of our current monarch and, with a reign of 63 years, there have been plenty of occasions to celebrate during The Queen’s reign.

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What’s In My Change?

Coins from change

How many of us have ever asked ourselves the question – what’s in my change? Those of us who have will know the answer, of course, which is – more history, art and treasure than you could imagine! Let me elaborate…

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A Commemorative Coincidence

Today is a hugely significant day in the 307-year history of the constitution of the United Kingdom, as we all now know the result of the Scottish referendum. The vote has come back in favour of No and the Kingdom remains United.

We thought it was worth looking back over those years into the mists of time to explore a key figure in the creation of that Union – the life and reign of Queen Anne, the last Stuart Queen and the first monarch of Great Britain. Events during Queen Anne’s reign have a significance that still resonates today and the Act of Union in 1707 could be considered the most significant, and a legacy that now lives on.

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Victoria to Elizabeth Penny by Penny

Most of us will be aware of the hugely significant nature of the length of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. Her Diamond Jubilee in 2012 inspired celebrations in streets across the UK and towns and cities all over the world, and with good reason; it was only the second time in our history that a British monarch had achieved a reign of 60 years.

The only previous such anniversary was enjoyed by The Queen’s great-great-Grandmother, Queen Victoria, who also went on to record the longest reign by any monarch in British history; 63 years, seven months and two days. Looking forwards, there is every chance that Queen Elizabeth II will surpass this record and, in September 2015, become Britain’s longest reigning monarch.

As we begin to look towards this historic date, we have uncovered some intriguing facts and figures about the royal effigies – from Victoria to Elizabeth – that have appeared on one of our most-loved and hardest-working coins, the penny.

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A PNC or a PMC? All you need to know!

If you’ve seen a PNC or a PMC on The Royal Mint or Royal Mail websites from time to time I’m sure you will have admired them. However, if you’re anything like me, you may not know much about these attractive and interesting products. So, I’ve spoken to my colleagues here and our partners at Royal Mail to gather some background for you to put that right. I hope filling in some of the gaps about what a PNC or a PMC is will add to your enjoyment and appreciation of them.

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