On the occasion of Prince William’s 40th birthday, the British Mint is honoring Queen Elizabeth II’s grandson with a coin. The coin, worth five pounds (5.90 euros), is the first to show the second in line to the throne alone on one side. William can be seen on it in a three-quarter profile, with a “40” and a crowned “W”, as the Royal Mint announced on Monday night.
In the margin is written, referring to Royal Majesty’s official title of duke: “HRH The Duke of Cambridge”. As with all British coins, the reverse shows the Queen in profile. William celebrates his milestone birthday on June 21st.
Thomas T. Docherty’s design pays homage to the prince’s “maturity and grace,” said Claire Maclennan, director of the Royal Mint. William has become, in the eyes of the world, “a senior member of the royal family, a devoted husband and a loving father of three.”
Docherty said: “The design strikes a balance between the fresh energy of His Royal Highness as a young father and the ceremonial nature of his royal position.” In addition, the Royal Mint is also bringing out a limited coin set, which includes a so-called sovereign coin from William’s birth year 1982.