Jewellery, Watches, Silver and Objects of Vertu

A pair of Royal Presentation 9ct gold and enamel World Tour cufflinks, presented by H.R.H. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh to Walter Bennett, his personal chauffeur, the oval plaques with crowned initial P against green enamel ground, the second plaque with white, blue, red and green enamels depicting the world tour logo, a map of Antarctica, with the date 1956-1957, beneath crown, with chain connectors, maker’s mark H.H.P. for Henry Hodson Plante, hallmarked for Birmingham 1956, in original fitted case by Plante, with gilt embossed Royal cypher to the lid, plaque length 17.5mm.


Accompanied by a letter from Buckingham Palace written on behalf of the Duke of Edinburgh dated 31 May 1957, reading:

“Dear Walter
The Duke of Edinburgh has asked me to send you the enclosed photographs and cufflinks with his sincere thanks for all you did during his recent tour.
Yours sincerely”

signed by Lieut.-General Sir Frederick A.M. Browning KCVO, KBE, DSO,


together with a photograph of the Royal Staff on board the Royal Yacht Britannia with printed signature of the Duke of Edinburgh,
a copy of a photograph of the Full Ship’s Company,
and negatives and personal photographs of the Tour taken by Walter Bennett.


£500-£800

Walter Bennett was personal chauffeur to the Duke of Edinburgh between 1949-1963.

The World Tour of 1956-57 started at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia, and continued to New Zealand, Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, Africa and the Mediterranean. Prince Philip travelled in the newly commissioned Royal Yacht Britannia, the lengthy trip covering 38,000 miles.