Prince of Wales's Investiture Sword

Creator: Garrards (Silversmith)

Creation Date: 1911

Materials: Silver-gilt, Steel

Dimensions: 96.5 x 16.7 x 5 cm

RCIN 69056

Acquirer: King Edward VIII, King of the United Kingdom (1894-1972)

Provenance: Made for investiture of Prince Edward (later Edward VIII) as Prince of Wales, 13 July 1911

Description: A ceremonial sword, with the silver-gilt hilt formed as a coronet supported by two Welsh dragons above a motto (Ich Dien); the dragons' tails form the grip and separate to form the guard.

The silver-gilt hilt inscribed: W. GOSCOMBE JOHN .R.A. MCMXI

London hallmark sterling silver GS (Garrard's) 1911

The sword has a steel blade etched with a coronet and E monogram and the motto Ich Dien on one face, on the reverse the Prince of Wales feathers and: IORWERTH:TYWYSOG:CYMRV:M.G

With a velvet covered scabbard with belt. All boxed.

The sword was made by the Crown Jewellers, Garrards, for the investiture of Prince Edward as Prince of Wales, on 13 July 1911 at Caernarvon Castle. Historically, these investitures had taken place in front of Parliament, but in 1911 it was decided to hold the ceremony in Wales, a move largely encouraged by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Welsh politician David Lloyd George. Lloyd George encouraged the Prince to learn Welsh for the ceremony. During the investiture, the Prince is bestowed with the Honours of the Principality of Wales - a coronet, a golden rod, a mantle, a sword and a ring.

Source: www.royalcollection.org.uk/collection/69056/prince-of-waless-investiture-sword