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It is one of Jersey’s most important symbols of Jersey's relationship with the Crown... and one islander had the honour - and pressure - of creating a mini version Her Majesty the Queen.
Local goldsmith Richard Blampied recalled how interested the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were in the work that had gone into creating a replica Royal Mace.
He met her on two occasions during her visit in 1989, once at Jersey Potteries when it was presented to the Queen, and the other on board the Royal Yacht Britannia.
Pictured: Richard Blampied in his workshop. (John De Garis/Aurum)
Richard, who founded Aurum Jewellers in 1968, and his workshop manager Derek Uren, created an exact copy of the Royal Mace.
Since 1663 it has been a symbol of Jersey’s ancient links with the Crown since it was given to the island by Charles II in gratitude for the island’s loyalty and hospitality during his years in exile.
Video: A photo album of the Queen's 1989 visit to Jersey alongside the Duke of Edinburgh.
“She was a delightful lady who asked me how we did it,” Richard said.
“She took an interest in the technical aspects and we explained the history. We had the real one to examine when we were working, and you really couldn’t tell the two apart.”
The original mace, which was recently refurbished, looks as good as it did the day it was created over three hundred years ago. Richard’s earlier work had included a silver model of HMS Victory and the locomotive King George V.
Pictured: There was shock in the States Chamber as the real Royal Mace was cloaked the day after Her Majesty's death.
“It didn’t take as long as the Victory, but it was a challenge to make it so that you couldn’t tell the difference between the copy and the original, and it was made in Jersey by Jersey craftsmen.”
You can read more about Richard's work at Aurum here.
Read more about the 1989 visit here or by listen to the below episode of our special edition podcast series, 'The Queen and Jersey'....
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