Royalty Watch: rings, stamps, and coins

The BBC reported that Prince William has chosen not wear a wedding ring. However, the bride will be wearing a band that will be made from gold from the Clogau St David’s mine at Bontddu, in north Wales.

Gold from the Clogau St David’s mine has been used for a number of royal wedding bands, including those for the Queen, the Queen Mother and Diana, Princess of Wales. The Queen was presented with a fresh supply of gold by the mine in 1986 and it is from this that Miss Middleton’s ring will be made. A St James’s Palace spokeswoman said: “After the engagement Her Majesty the Queen gave Prince William some gold to make a wedding ring. “In accordance with the couple’s wishes Miss Middleton will wear a ring. The ring will be from Prince William.” William’s father, the Prince of Wales, does wear a wedding band, but his grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, does not.

Reuters wrote last week on the announcement by the Royal Mail to issue two stamps commemorating the wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton. Photographs taken by Mario Testino to mark the couple’s engagement will be featured on the stamps which will be available to the public eight days before the ceremony on April 21 at post office branches.

Stephen Agar of the Royal Mail was quoted as saying, “We are honoured to be celebrating this very special and historic occasion. We believe that that this set of stamps will be very popular with people both in the UK and around the world.”

It is the third time Prince William has appeared on a Royal Mail stamp — he was featured on a sheet of stamps to celebrate the Queen and the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday in 2000 and in 2003 became the first member of the royal family to have a set of stamps produced to celebrate their 21st birthday. He is also the first of the Queen’s grandchildren to have their wedding commemorated on a set of stamps.

Amusingly enough, New Zealand is issuing a stamp which may raise some eyebrows as the symbolism about predicting the future is startling. The Daily Mail shows a picture of the stamp with the image of the couple, but the stamp is perforated down the middle between the couple so it can be split into two individual stamps. As the paper points out, to add insult to injury, William’s stamp is worth one New Zealand pound more than Kate’s side. Is somebody’s brilliant idea going to see them end up in hot water over this design?

As for coins, a number of mints around the world will be issuing coins to honour the royal couple. Canada will be participating in this celebration and the Globe and Mail writes about the Royal Canadian Mint’s unveiling of its latest collector coins commemorating the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. There are two coins marking the planned April 29 royal nuptials — a $20 silver coin and a 25-cent piece — which go on sale immediately.

The design of the $20 coin, created by portrait artist Laurie McGaw of Guelph, Ont., includes an engraving of William and Kate gazing lovingly into one another’s eyes. – It is interesting to point out this choice of design – William and Kate gazing lovingly into one another’s eyes – as the Daily Mail in discussing the controversy around the perforated stamp pointed out a stamp of Charles and Diana had the two of them looking away from each other. It may have been a bit of a scandal then but it somehow seems appropriate now after the fact. (see pictures of coins from CBC)

ITN News – Apr 5/2011

No ring for Royal groom

Prince William will not wear a wedding band – but what about Kate Middleton?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjdVEutP-TQ

Euronews – Apr 1/2011

Prince William’s royal wedding nerves

Prince William may be a highly-trained professional helicopter pilot, but he has been talking about how the prospect of his wedding in just four weeks makes him shake with nerves. In the run-up to the big day, the prince is continuing his work as a RAF search and rescue pilot, a job he describes as “fantastic.” He covers the area around North Wales and said the job is both important and rewarding. But it is clear his wedding is also on his mind.

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