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British Royal Cyphers

Note: Royal cyphers were standardised in 1901, significant variation occurs prior to this date.


MonarchCypherExample 1Example 2Example 3Example 4
King Charles III
2022-Present		Royal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal Cypher
Queen Elizabeth II
1952-2022		Royal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal Cypher
King George VI
1936-1952		Royal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal Cypher
King George VI
Emperor of India
1936-1947		Royal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal Cypher
King Edward VIII
1936-1936		Royal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal Cypher
King Edward VIII
Emperor of India
1936-1936		Royal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal Cypher
King George V
1910-1936		Royal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal Cypher
King George V
Emperor of India
1910-1936		Royal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal Cypher
King Edward VII
1901-1910		Royal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal Cypher
King Edward VII
Emperor of India
1901-1910		Royal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal Cypher
Queen Victoria
1837-1901		Royal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal Cypher
Queen Victoria
Emperess of India
1876-1901		Royal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal Cypher
King William IV
1830-1837		Royal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal Cypher
King George IV
1820-1830		Royal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal Cypher
King George III
1760-1820		Royal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal CypherRoyal Cypher


GR IV vs WR IV Cyphers

Royal Coats of Arms (ensigns armorial) found on British Swords


Dates

1715 to 18011801 to 8th June 18168th June 1816 to 26th July 183726th July 1837 to 19521952 to present
United Kingdom Coat of Arms
(Escutcheon)		Royal Coat of Arms 1714 EnglandRoyal Coat of Arms 1801 EnglandRoyal Coat of Arms 1816 EnglandRoyal Coat of Arms 1837 EnglandRoyal Coat of Arms 1952 England
Scotish Coat of Arms variant
(Escutcheon)		Royal Coat of Arms 1801 ScotlandRoyal Coat of Arms 1816 ScotlandRoyal Coat of Arms 1837 ScotlandRoyal Coat of Arms 1952 Scotland
Examples on swordsRoyal Coat of Arms 1714 EnglandRoyal Coat of Arms 1801 EnglandRoyal Coat of Arms 1816 EnglandRoyal Coat of Arms 1837 EnglandRoyal Coat of Arms 1952 England
NotesIncludes Fleur-de-Lys (claim to the throne of France). The Scotish lion is frequently omitted on swords.Look for the bonnet surmounting the inescutcheon (inner shield). In 1800 the castle as well as the harp are adopted as ensigns armorial for Ireland.The bonnet surmounting the inescutcheon is replaced by the Hanoverian Royal Crown.The Hanovarian inescutcheon is removed completely.In practice, the Winged harp partially replaced by the Celtic harp from around 1952.
SourcesAdmiralty report about altering the Royal Arms on standards in the Navy
National Archives, Reference: PC 1/3/4, Note: 2 ff, Date: 1715 June 17.		King's Proclamation of George III
The London Gazette
Date: 30 December 1800, Issue: 15324, Page: 3		Prince Regent's Proclamation
The London Gazette
Date: 13 July 1816, Issue: 17153, Page: 1361		Queen's Proclamation of Victoria R
The London Gazette
Date: 15 August 1837, Issue: 19532, Page: 2141		No decree has been found authorising the change in harp design, however the practice became more commonplace after 1952, although many manufacturers retained the old design.
February 2025swordresearch.orgversion 1.0

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