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Cypher Shift

Out with the old, in with the new: the King has released his new royal cypher, with a stylised CR III replacing the familiar EIIR. As with so many things, I am sure we will get used to it with time.

Given the longevity of the late Queen’s reign it will be some time before we see it appearing on pillarboxes, but it will enter our lives more quickly via postal franking, stamps, currency, and uniforms.

Many are trying to come up with complex, almost mystical, explanations for why St Edward’s Crown has been replaced with the Tudor crown atop the cypher. More likely, I suspect, is that it is a useful means of giving the new reign a respectful visual differentiation from its preceding one.

I’ve always been rather fond of the Tudor crown, and the Caledonian version of the new cypher rightly includes the Crown of Scotland — the oldest amidst the Crown Jewels of this realm as (unlike England) Scotland was spared the iconoclastic destruction of Cromwell’s republic.

The new royal cypher, left, and its Scottish variant, right.

Published at 10:30 pm on Wednesday 28 September 2022. Categories: Design Errant Thoughts Great Britain Monarchy Tradition Tags: , , .
Comments

Scotland was exempt from Cromwell’s republic! Of course – I never thought of that.

— Alexander Shaw 29 Sep 2022 9:18 am

A pity it wasn’t exempt from John Knox too.

— William G. 30 Sep 2022 8:57 am

Dear Andrew,

Anthony Delarue has kindly forwarded your message about the new royal cypher. It would seem that the King has reverted to the shape of the royal crown used by his forebears Edward VII, George, V, and George VI, i e the shape of Queen Victoria’s small diamond crown. Since my library is still inaccessible after the removal from Meursault, I am not able to be too precise.

On an other point, Scotland was NOT exempt from the Cromwell tyranny. Upon the death of the Bastard-Queen, in 1603, King James Vi of Scotland inherited the Crown of England and the country became “united” with England in his person. If you look at the arms of Cromwell’s “Commonwealth”, you will find that Scotland is represented by the saltire of Saint Andrew.

Very best wishes,

Eric (de Évora)

— Eric de Évora 1 Oct 2022 3:42 pm
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