The Royal Mint has revealed the first UK coin to celebrate Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal. The commemorative coin has been released in the year in which she will celebrate her 75th birthday, marking her remarkable lifetime of service.
The coin’s design, personally approved by Her Royal Highness, has been created by renowned Royal Mint coin designer Thomas T. Docherty, who previously designed HRH The Prince of Wales’s 40th birthday coin. Thomas’ coin design features a striking portrait of The Princess Royal and is based on an official portrait of The Princess Royal taken by John Swannell, a fellow of the prestigious Royal Photographic Society. In the portrait, Her Royal Highness has also been depicted wearing the Aquamarine Pineflower Tiara which was created by Cartier.
The design is framed with the inscription “The Princess Royal – Celebrating 75 Years – Duty and Devotion” – a fitting tribute to her lifetime of service to the Crown and nation. To the right of The Princess Royal’s portrait features a depiction of The Princess Royal’s official Coat of Arms.
Rebecca Morgan, Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint, said: “For the first time in British numismatic history, we are honoured to celebrate The Princess Royal on an official UK coin. Her Royal Highness’s unwavering commitment to public service, charitable work, and support of His Majesty’s Armed Forces over seven and a half decades makes her truly deserving of this tribute. The graceful design by Thomas Docherty perfectly captures both her dignified presence and extraordinary legacy while also celebrating The Princess Royal’s 75th birthday.”
The first official UK coin celebrating The Princess Royal’s 75th birthday features an official photographic portrait supplied by Buckingham Palace. Recreated for coinage by renowned Royal Mint coin designer Thomas T. Docherty, using state-of-the-art technology, the design has been personally approved by Her Royal Highness and includes her official Coat of Arms.
The portrait was taken by John Swannell, a fellow of the prestigious Royal Photographic Society and one of the biggest names in British photography. In addition to portraits of the Royal Family, his portfolio includes a wide variety of images ranging from landscapes and fashion photography to theatre posters and album covers.
Princess Anne is depicted wearing her iconic Cartier Aquamarine Pineflower Tiara, which she received as a Wedding Gift from the Queen Mother and is currently on display in the Cartier Exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
