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Jan Constantine Diamond Jubilee Royal Memorabilia
Above: Jan Constantine themed cushions

Whether it is a royal wedding or a Silver or Diamond Jubilee, great British manufacturers rally round to create magnificent memorabilia to commemorate a royal celebration.The first examples of these quirky collectables date back to the 17th century.

Jan Constantine Diamond Jubilee Royal Memorabilia
Above: Jan Constantine themed cushions

In the latest issue of BRITAIN magazine, we take a closer look at royal memorabilia of the past and present, and discover something of a British love affair.

There is a whole host of beautiful, unusual and well-made products created specifically to celebrate and commemorate special royal occasions. Visit the BRITAIN shop to see some of these fantastic products, such as the Jan Constantine hand- embroided cushions (above).

This memorabilia is a reminder of the quality and imagination that remains alive and kicking in British manufacturing. The tradition for royal themed collectibles has its origins in the time of Charles II. Here’s our selection of weird and wonderful facts about royal memorabilia, but for the full feature read the latest issue of BRITAIN magazine – it’s a great read!

Did you know?

-Princess Diana remains one of the most popular figures for collectors of royal memorabilia.

-One of the items created to commemorate the Coronation of Edward VII was the ‘moustache’ cup, designed to accommodate the bushy facial hair fashionable amongst gentlemen at the time.

-One of the most valuable pieces of memorabilia to be sold in modern times was a Meissen teapot decorated with the coat of arms of Sophie of Hanover, which dated from 1713. It had an estimated value of £200,000-£300,000.

-Mugs commemorating the divorce of Charles and Diana are generally more valuable than those celebrating their marriage.

-Beginning the trend for unusual commemoratives, Queen Victoria’s image has appeared on a tin of peaches.

Read the full feature in the latest issue of BRITAIN magazine. Subscribe now!

Win!

Featured in BRITAIN magazine, this is your chance to win a beautiful hand-crafted chess set worth £200 from Studio Anne Charlton made to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee.

Studio Anne Carlton chess set

Since 1969, Studio Anne Carlton has been a world’s premier designer and manufacturer of decorative chess sets. To commemorate one of the most important occasions in the long history of the British monarchy, this beautifully hand-crafted chess set celebrates the 60 glorious years since Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne in 1952. The set has been developed in partnership with St. George’s Chapel, Windsor and depicts Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip on the occasion of the Garter Day Ceremony at Windsor Castle.