Dutch Regalia
 

While on the whole world everything is going on like always in the Netherlands all eyes are on the new King and the ceremony.
And as I whatched the ceremony also, I was a little surprised that also here " The Royal Sword" took quite an important place.
It shows again how much swords are involved in cultural ceremonies even if we are living in 2013.


maybe it is nice if you post the regalia sword(s) from your country also ?

from the Netherlands,

Arjan

Maybe a moderator can move this to the European section :)

Ps. Yesterday was the first time I heard of this dutch royal sword.
With the previous coronation in 1980 I was not that much into weapons yet.

Looking at this thread, we're Dutch seem to be the only ones with a regalia sword.... :rolleyes:

Don't all countries that have or had a king or queen have at least one of those?
In Sweden we have four major regalia swords.

Michael

UK state sword, since 1678 - there is also a mourning sword.

UK Mourning sword was used last week at lady thatcher's funeral, here in 1st photo it preceedes the queen up the steps at same. sword is 4 ft. 2 in. from 1500's. second shows it on a cushion in front of her majesty at the service.

Can't find a very large sized image of the Czech one. But there's a pic on the following link and a bit of info.

http://www.korunovacni-klenoty.cz/en...las-sword.html

A few details about the dutch "rijkszwaard".

- ordered by Willem II in 1840 together with the other regalia to be used for his coronation.
- supplied by P. Mansvelt en Zn, Den Haag. They where suppliers and ordered their swords from producers in Solingen
- The hilt is gilded and decorated with cut glass.
- Hilt and scabbard were covered with red velvet by "Van Meerbeke"from Brussels.
- Length is 1,38 meter = 54,3 inch = 4 feet 6 inch
- The sword was used for all coronations since 1840
ie, Willem II in 1840,
Willem III in 1849,
Wilhelmina in 1898,
Juliana in 1948,
Beatrix in 1980 and now Willem Alexander in 2013 !