Gifts of Grandeur: The Marlborough Great George

The Marlborough Great George
The Royal Collection

One of the magnificent items bequeathed to the newly-crowned Queen Elizabeth from her late father, King George VI, was the badge of the Marlborough Great George. This magnificent diamond and precious stone garter badge of St. George had been made for King George IV by an unknown jeweler, but has been altered by both Rundell, Bridge and Rundell as well as Garrard’s.

This badge was worn by King George VI in 1937 and was later worn by Queen Elizabeth II had her coronation in 1953. Her Majesty always wears it on Garter Day and at the State Opening of Parliament. The creation of the badge came about when King George IV noticed one worn by the Duke og Malborough and ordered a copy of the piece made for himself.

The badge was recently on display at Buckingham Palace as part of the 2010 “Queen’s Year” exhibition which gave citizens of Britain a chance to view objects in use by the Queen throughout her faily life in a common year.

Queen Elizabeth II
Sir William Dargie
The Royal Collection