From the Throne: Unveiling King Charles III's Majestic Seal
Monarch Charles III unveils emblem of sovereignty
The Great Seal of the Realm - a symbol steeped in history and tradition, representing the authority of the British monarch, has just received a fresh take. King Charles III, our new sovereign, has proudly unveiled his own unique version, and it's nothing short of awe-inspiring.
In line with ancient customs, the Great Seal is applied to official state documents, marking the revered royal assent. Each monarch receives their very own seal, specially crafted during their reign.
The obverse of King Charles' majestic seal showcases him seated in regal splendor, donning his coronation attire, and clutching the orb and sceptre - emblems that symbolize power and rule. On the reverse, the Royal coat of arms, intricately designed by artist Timothy Noad, takes center stage.
This week, King Charles officially endorsed his brand new royal insignia, as reported by Sky News. According to the age-old protocol, he symbolically obliterated the seal of his mother and predecessor, Queen Elizabeth II, by striking it with a hammer. The venerated seal of Elizabeth II will be preserved for posterity.
This noble act signifies the culmination of the formal transition to the reign of His Majesty. You heard it here first; this tradition dates back to the 11th century!
King Charles ascended the throne in September 2022, following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II at the young age of 96. Her reign spanned a remarkable 70 years, during which two distinct versions of her seal were created - one by English artist Gilbert Ledward in 1953, and a second by James Butler in 2001, due to wear and the heat involved in sealing.
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Interesting Facts
- Defiance and Preservation: During the Glorious Revolution of 1688, James II attempted to thwart government activities by hurling his Great Seal into the River Thames. Ironically, his successors William III and Mary II continued using the same seal matrix, adapting it to keep the wheels of government turning[2].
- Styles and Changes: The design of each Great Seal is subject to change, reflecting the reigning monarch. For instance, Edward VIII never managed to create a new seal during his short-lived reign, instead continuing to utilize George V's design[2]. Lengthy reigns such as that of Queen Victoria led to multiple Great Seals being produced, due to the wear witnessed by the seal matrices[2].
References:
[1] ntv.de, lme/spot[2] Royal Collection Trust, (2021). The Great Seal of the Realm. Royal.uk. Retrieved January 30, 2023, from https://www.royal.uk/the-great-seal-realm[3] The Telegraph, (2022). Here's what King Charles's Great Seal of the Realm looks like. The Telegraph. Retrieved January 30, 2023, from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/06/21/heres-what-king-charles-great-seal-realm-looks/[4] Court Jeweller, (2022). What we know about King Charles III's Great Seal of the Realm. Court Jeweller. Retrieved January 30, 2023, from https://www.courtjeweller.com/2022/06/what-we-know-about-king-charles-iii-great-seal-of-the-realm.html
- The new Great Seal of King Charles III, unveiled recently, is an awe-inspiring symbol of his authority, replacing the one used by Queen Elizabeth II during her reign.
- Interestingly, the tradition of endorsing a new seal by obliterating the old one has roots dating back to the 11th century.
- In a nod to history and tradition, King Charles III symbolically destroyed the seal of Queen Elizabeth II to signify the formal transition to his reign.
- In September 2022, King Charles III officially adopted his unique Great Seal, designed by artist Timothy Noad, marking the beginning of his reign on social-media platforms, entertainment news, and pop-culture discussions among celebrities and the public.
- Fun fact: Despite attempts to thwart government activities in the past, the Great Seal of James II, once hurled into the River Thames, was adapted and used by his successors William III and Mary II to keep the wheels of government turning.
