What is a Royal Cypher?
11 Mar 2020
The College of Arms & Barrow Hepburn & Gale have had a close working relationship, which is complementary. Whether it is the use of a royal cypher, a coat of arms or a badge, the College of Arms is the ultimate authority on the use of such devices.
Heralds are members of the Royal Household – a unique and ancient position which allows them to officially use the royal cypher. Windsor Herald and Bluemantle Pursuivant are two royal heralds who are working with us to extend public knowledge of the valuable role of the heralds in the modern world.
Monarchs have identified themselves since the Tudor period using royal cyphers. In this sense, they serve a similar purpose as the arms of the sovereign & royal badges. During the reign of Henry VIII, a cypher composed of the letters H and K or R ensigned by a crown was added to the design of some English coins & in carvings. Royal cyphers are a type of monogram & usually include the first letter of the sovereign’s regnal name, the letter R for rex or regina (king or queen in Latin) & his or her regnal number. Thus, The Queen uses the cypher EIIR, standing for Elizabeth II Regina. The present Queen is the second monarch named ‘Elizabeth’ to reign.
Nowadays, the royal cypher is most often seen on the iconic red post boxes in many parts of the United Kingdom & on government buildings across the Commonwealth. It is also used on stamps, invitations issued on behalf of the sovereign, in the design of some British & Commonwealth medals & by certain government ministers & other royal appointees. Indeed, the royal cypher is on the famous Red Despatch Boxes used by the monarch to receive government papers & by ministers of the crown. So used, it signifies both regnant title & ministerial authority, which devolves from Monarch to Political appointee.
Cyphers are not restricted to the sovereign; members of the royal family & members of the nobility & gentry - each individual having his or her own distinctive design use them. The popularity of cyphers & monograms increased amongst the gentry from the eighteenth century onwards as a means of personal identification on stationery & other personal or household objects.
The College of Arms in London designs all Royal cyphers & the cyphers of members of the royal family. Private individuals can apply for a grant of arms from the College of Arms. A Herald of Arms would advise & prepare an appropriate draft design of a coat of arms. Only after approval from the Earl Marshall is the coat of arms then formally & officially granted.
Copyright, Barrow Hepburn & Gale and John Allen-Petrie, Windsor Herald 2020