This is a Royal card unlike any I have ever offered before.
It's handwritten and signed by King Charles III. And the content is directly linked to his military career, which makes it both uncommon and highly collectible.
But this item also reveals a touching personal inscription, which turns it into something of even greater rarity and value.
The King's personal tribute.
This Royal card was handwritten and signed by Charles as the Prince of Wales, to commemorate those who died at the Battle of Isandlwana. He writes:
“In memory of those courageous men of the 24th Regiment of Foot, and of the great Zulu Nation, who lost their lives during the Battle of Isandlwana on 22nd January 1879."
The note is signed neatly "Charles, Colonel-in-Chief, the Royal Regiment of Wales.”
Charles was given the honourary title of 'Colonel-in-Chief' in 1969. It was his first military appointment as a young Prince, and he continued to hold the position for 37 years until the regiment merged with the Royal Welch Fusiliers to become the Royal Welsh in 2006.
The card features the Prince of Wales' crest and a black border, which is traditionally used on Royal stationary during periods of mourning.
It measures 9.7 x 12cm, and is in good condition with some minor water and tape staining. This would be consistent with it once being attached to a remembrance wreath of flowers.
And although it is undated, the age wear and the solitary signature suggest it was written prior to Charles' marriage to Princess Diana in 1981; very possibly in 1979 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the battle.
In memory of the fallen.
The Battle of Isandlwana was the start of the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879.
On January 22, 1879, following their invasion of Zululand, British forces were attacked by 20,000 Zulu warriors. More than 1300 British and Colonial soldiers lost their lives, along with between 1000 and 3000 Zulu warriors.
The battle was a resounding defeat for the the British, and at home the Victorian public was shocked by the news.
In recent years Charles met several times with King Zwelithini to repair relations between the two nations. When the pair met in 2011 King Zwelithini stated “Our great nation, the Zulus, and the British share a very rich history that is both good and not so good".
Charles added "Our relationship has not always been entirely smooth, but it has always been characterized by deep admiration and respect.”
This card, which pays tribute to the fallen on both sides, is evidence of Charles' respect.
The reverse of this card reveals something highly significant.
It's what you find on the reverse of the card that elevates this note into something far more significant. Because Charles has written a quote from the 'Ode to Remembrance'.
The famous verse from Laurence Binyon's 1914 poem 'For the Fallen', which has become an international tribute to all casualties of war.
"They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn... We shall remember them."
The verse is regularly recited on Remembrance Day in the U.K and Europe, and on Anzac Day in Australia.
This card is the first time I have ever seen these famous words handwritten by any Royal figure. And the fact they were written by Charles give them huge significance.
It is the Commonwealth's most famous tribute to fallen soldiers, handwritten by the King himself - the Head of the Armed Services. And I think you'll agree that's a magnificent thing to own.
I'm unable to find a record of any similar inscribed item, either available today or previously offered. So we must conclude this is an exceptionally rare piece, and quite probably unique to the market.
These are iconic and powerful words.
Rudyard Kipling called Binyon's poem “the most beautiful expression of sorrow in the English language”.
And written in the right hand they can be incredibly valuable to collectors.
There are just six known manuscript copies of 'For the Fallen' by Binyon himself. And in the past 50 years only one of his manuscripts containing any part of the poem has been sold at auction.
It is the same immortal verse as quoted by Charles, handwritten by Binyon circa 1914-18. And it sold at Bonhams in 2013 for £10,000.
You can own this very special piece of history today.
This card offers you so much more than a Charles III autograph (although it certainly gives you a fine example of that.)
It is a piece rich in British Royal and military tradition. It traces a direct line through history spanning 146 years, from the Battle of Isandlwana in 1879 to the King today.
And it features some of the most famous words ever dedicated to the fallen casualties of war. The stirring and timeless 'Ode to Remembrance'. Heartfelt and handwritten by Charles as a young Prince and a soldier.
There isn't another comparable item like this on the market, and I sincerely doubt there ever will be. So add this remarkable piece of Royal history to your collection today.
