Object of the Day: A Souvenir of the Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary, 1935

Words cannot express my thoughts and feelings. I can only say to you, my very dear people, that the Queen and I thank you from the depths of our hearts for all the loyalty, and may I say, the love with which this day, and always, you have surrounded us. I dedicate myself anew to your service for the years that still may be given me.
--King George V on the anniversary of his accession, May 6, 1935

In 1935, the British people celebrated the Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary, marking twenty-five years since the King’s accession to the throne. On May 6, 1935, amidst much cheering and shows of loyalty, the King addressed his people with a message to the Empire which was simultaneously broadcast via wireless.

By this point, King George V was suffering terribly after a series of debilitating physical events. His poor health is evident in his voice when one listens to surviving recordings of his message. The King concluded his message with the very same words that his grandmother, Queen Victoria, used in addressing the people on the event of her Diamond Jubilee. George V was to die shortly after this, leaving Queen Mary to deal with the aftermath of her son’s (The Prince of Wales, briefly King Edward VIII) abdication.

However, the Jubilee was marked by great joy. As remains the custom, a variety of souvenir items were produced for the event. This is one of them. This small china cup bears the images of King George V and Queen Mary surrounded by visual representations of the Empire and marked on the reverse with their cipher.