Golden sword marks queen's jubilee

The scabbard (left) and sword created for the Queen's Golden Jubilee; click on the image for a larger view

LONDON, England -- Queen Elizabeth II will receive a £50,000 ($75,000) jewel-encrusted sword to mark her golden jubilee later this year.

The sword, made by the monarch's weapon maker Wilkinson Sword symbolises strength and power and is expected to complement the queen's other regal paraphernalia from ceremonial occasions, the makers said on Wednesday.

"As royal warrant holders since 1804, we were keen to mark the occasion of the queen's golden jubilee in a very special way," business manager at Wilkinson Sword, Rob Hadley told the Associated Press.

"The sword combines the delicacy and quality associated with precious stones and jewellery with the strength and symbolic power of a sword.

"It is a unique memento of a rare occasion and, we feel, a fitting tribute to Her Majesty's 50th year reign," Hadley said.

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The sword was displayed during a ceremony at the British Military Council on Wednesday.

The hilt incorporates natural rock and 18-carat solid gold adorned with eight carats of diamonds, more than six carats of rubies and a large lapis lazuli.

The 24-inch blade is etched with roses, thistles, daffodils and shamrocks, the national flowers of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland respectively.

The white leather scabbard is decorated with gold, studded with red rosettes and crowned with a lapis lazuli, incorporating the red, white and blue of Britain's national flag.

At the top of the scabbard is a solid gold horse carving, reflecting Elizabeth's love of equestrian sports.

The sword was designed by Robin Kyte, an award-winning jewellery designer who teaches at Sir John Cass Centre for Silversmithing and Jewellery at London's Guildhall University.

Wilkinson Sword also created swords to mark Elizabeth's Silver Jubilee in 1977 and her accession to the throne in 1942 - but none of those have been seen in battle.

The last monarch to go to war wielding a sword was King George II at the battle of Dettingen in Germany in 1743 during the War of the Austrian Succession, when he led the English and Hanoverians against the French, AP reported.