Object of the Day: A Commemorative Cup and Saucer Featuring Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose, 1937

Cup and Saucer
1936-1937
The Royal Collection

When King Edward VIII abdicated the throne before his coronation (thank goodness—can you imagine what would have happened with this guy in power during World War II?), merchants and manufacturers rushed to create souvenirs for the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.

Thankfully, the former Duke and Duchess of Yorknhad two very photogenic daughters who were the perfect subjects for souvenirs. This cup and saucer by Paragon China was produced in 1936 for the 1937 coronation. It uses a photo of Princess Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth II) with her sister, Princess Margaret Rose (now quite deceased) taken by Marcus Adams in 1934. The cup is made all the more darling by its modeled handle which takes the form of flowers.