Jewellery, Objects of Vertu, Silver and Watches

Royal Interest: A George VI Royal Presentation stickpin, the terminal with diamond set Royal cypher ‘G VI R’, beneath red enamelled crown, platinum and diamond mounted, cased by Collingwood & Co, length 7cm.

£600-£800

Gifted by Queen Elizabeth II to James “Jimmy” MacDonald, MVO, valet to King George VI, in memory of her father.



From a Private Collection.

James Harper MacDonald (1908 - 1989), born in Haddingtonshire, Scotland, served as valet to the Royal household for over four decades, in service to King George VI, Prince Philip and Prince Charles (now King Charles III).

MacDonald was the first to discover the death of King George VI. On the morning of 6 February 1952 at Sandringham House, Norfolk, he knocked on his master’s bedroom door at 7.30am with the King’s morning cup of tea. Receiving no reply, he entered the room to discover the King had died peacefully in his sleep.

MacDonald summoned the King’s Equerry, Captain Harold Campbell, who informed Queen Elizabeth that her husband has died. At 10.45am, the news of the King’s death was announced to the world.

Thousands of miles away in Kenya, the King’s eldest child - Elizabeth II - was travelling through the British Commonwealth with her husband Prince Philip. The news of her father’s death was to reach Kenya later that day.

James MacDonald continued working for the Royal Family after 1952 and he was made a Member of the Royal Victorian Order in 1974 by Elizabeth II in recognition of his long and faithful service.

Very good condition. Case a little scuffed.
Weight 3.8gm.