Royal Collection Trust, a department of the Royal Household, is today launching a range of official chinaware to commemorate the life of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The chinaware is made by hand in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire using methods and techniques that have remained unchanged for 250 years. From the development of initial designs and creation of individual moulds to the hand-finishing with 22-carat gold and manufacture of the special packaging, the production process encompasses the skills of over 50 individuals from several factories at the heart of the English Potteries. The chinaware range comprises of a mug (£25.00), pillbox (£40.00), tankard (£45.00), and a teacup and saucer (£70.00). Two further commemorative items complete the range: a cotton tea towel (£10.95) made in Northern Ireland and a candle votive (£65.00) made in Hampshire.

The central element of the design is the personal cypher of Queen Elizabeth II, when Princess Elizabeth, which featured on the State Hearse of Her late Majesty. The cypher is surrounded by depictions of the National Emblems of the United Kingdom: roses, shamrocks, thistles and daffodils. These emblems are incorporated into an oval frame featuring two cherubs, inspired by a drawing by Queen Victoria in the Royal Collection, which forms the frontispiece of a book of sketches of her children.

The decorative border design incorporates flowers that were included in the bouquet resting on Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin during the State Funeral, including roses, myrtle, rosemary, and oak leaves taken from the gardens of royal residences. The myrtle was cut from a plant grown from a sprig of myrtle in the then Princess Elizabeth’s wedding bouquet in 1947. Rosemary is a traditional emblem of remembrance while oak symbolises strength of love.

The design also bears an inscription reading: ‘May flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest’. These words from Shakespeare’s Hamlet were quoted by The King in His Majesty’s first public tribute to Her late Majesty.
All profits from sales of the official chinaware range and commemorative items go to The Royal Collection Trust, a registered charity, for the care and conservation of the Royal Collection, and the promotion of access and enjoyment through exhibitions, publications, loans and educational programmes.

The commemorative range can be purchased online from www.rct.uk/shop or from Royal Collection Trust shops in London, Windsor and Edinburgh.

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A selection of images is available from https://we.tl/t-IuNI202TCy

For further information or imagery please contact the Royal Collection Trust Press Office, +44 (0)20 7839 1377, [email protected].