In a much appreciated gesture,
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has presented Canada and the Canadian Navy with the sovereign sword that was gifted to her at Halifax's International Fleet Review.
The sovereign sword presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during Halifax’s International Fleet Review (IFR) in June now rests with the Queen’s Colour in Ottawa.
The sword was a gift from the Navy to the sovereign in thanks and appreciation for her participation as reviewing officer for the IFR, according to Captain (Navy) Craig Walkington, Maritime Forces Atlantic’s Canadian Naval Centennial Coordinator. She has now given it back to the Navy and to Canada, he said.
After discussions with Kevin McLeod, the Queen’s Canadian private secretary, Capt(N) Walkington said the decision was to make the sword part of the Queen’s Colour regalia “and it would be carried by the officer commanding the Guard of Honour any time the Queen’s Colour is paraded.”
Gold-plated, with a triple-edge blade and a handle made of bleached sharkskin, the sovereign sword is based on a design from Wilkinson and made in Germany by Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Cie (WKC) of Solingen, Germany. Guthrie Woods Products of Stittsville, Ont., is the Canadian distributor for WKC.
The sword’s design incorporates several significant historical decorative elements: the Imperial Lion on top of the hilt, the Canadian Naval Centennial identifier, the insignia E2R, the Canadian coat of arms, and on the basket, the Royal Canadian Navy badge.
The sword also bears the battle honours of the Canadian Navy, including the Battle of the Atlantic and the Gulf War.
By: Shelldrake
In a much appreciated gesture, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has presented Canada and the Canadian Navy with the sovereign sword that was gifted to her at Halifax's International Fleet Review.
While I wonder at times how much longer the British institution of the Crown will continue to exist, there is something about it that can elevate tradition and ceremonies to another level.
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