British Monarch's Power Symbol: The New Great Seal of the Realm
Monarch King Charles III introduces a new emblem of sovereignty
The long-standing tradition of the British Royal Family, dating back a millennium, is the use of a royal seal. Now, King Charles III proudly flaunts his symbol of power with his own Great Seal of the Realm.
King Charles III's freshly-approved emblem shows him sitting regally on the throne on one side, while the reverse displays the royal coat of arms created by artist Timothy Noad. This unique seal is imperative for official state documents to show the king's stamp of approval, as shared by the Royal Family on Instagram.
The British monarch's seal changes with each new monarch, signifying their reign. The new seal was announced this week as reported by Sky News. Caught in tradition, King Charles should have smashed his mother, Queen Elizabeth II's seal with a hammer to signify its end. The late Queen's seal will be kept safe for the annals of history.
This bold move allegedly marks "the final phase of the formal transition to the reign of His Majesty." Historically, the use of the royal seal dates back to the 11th century.
King Charles assumed the throne in September 2022 following the passing of Elizabeth II at the age of 96. Her two Great Seals were made during her 70-year reign. The first was designed by English artist Gilbert Ledward in 1953, but, over time, wear and the heat from sealing damaged it. For this reason, a second seal was crafted by artist James Butler in 2001.
- British Royal Family
- King Charles III
- Queen Elizabeth II
Fun Facts and Historical Context
Necessity of a Great Seal
- When written documents were the primary form of communication, the Great Seal served as an authentication method, ensuring the documents' legitimacy.
- The official seal is necessary for legal documents, making them legally binding.
Through the Ages
- After creating tension during the Glorious Revolution of 1688, James II attempted to destroy his seal to halt government operations. William III and Mary II adapted James's seal to signify continuity in governance.
- In the 20th century, following the 1922 secession of the Irish Free State, changes were made to the seal's designation, representing the Dominions of the Commonwealth.
Queen Elizabeth II's Seals Over the Years
- Much like King Charles III, Queen Elizabeth II had distinct Great Seals that reflected her decade-long reign. Over time, the seals may have worn out due to extensive use and the heat involved in sealing.
- Two unique Great Seals were created for Queen Elizabeth II: the first in 1953, and the second in 2001, both designed by different artists, due to the deterioration of the original seal.
All in all, King Charles III's Great Seal of the Realm differs from Queen Elizabeth II's primarily in its design and heraldic elements, yet both emblems maintain the tradition of symbolizing the monarch's authority and legitimizing official documents.
- The British Royal Family, including King Charles III and Queen Elizabeth II, have each had their unique Great Seals, with King Charles III's new seal showcasing a fresh design signifying his reign.
- Following the tradition, Queen Elizabeth II's Great Seals from 1953 and 2001, designed by different artists, are a testament to her seven-decade rule.
- Remarkably, this practice of using a Great Seal, as demonstrated by the British Royal Family, dates back to the 11th century and was used as a method of authenticating documents and making them legally binding.
- Though King Charles III was crowned in September 2022, his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, had two Great Seals crafted during her long reign, the first in 1953 and the second in 2001, due to wear and damage caused by the sealing process.
- Interestingly, in the 20th century, changes to the Great Seal's designation were initiated to represent the Dominions of the Commonwealth, reflecting changes in politics, pop-culture, and general-news, following the secession of the Irish Free State in 1922.
