Royal Mint rejected plans to release a set of commemorative coins to honour the late Queen Elizabeth II’s eight grandchildren, it has been reported.
The plans, which are said to have been made at a meeting by Royal Mint’s Advisory Committee on the Design of Coins, Medals, Seals and Decorations back in 2012, were reportedly declined due to some of the late monarch’s grandchildren not having “an entirely positive public profile”.
Documents stating the rejection – which had been obtained through freedom of information laws – were revealed by the Sunday Mail.
The proposal was set to honour all eight of Queen Elizabeth’s grandchildren – Prince William, Prince Harry, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Zara Tindall, Peter Phillips, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex.
Committee members shared concerns over the plans, stating that – if they were to go ahead – it would likely be seen as contrived and potentially open to ridicule.
Prince Harry has been hit with major controversies over the years – with this likely being one reason behind the decision.
The 40-year-old, who stepped down as a senior working member of the Royal Family in 2020, faced major criticism in 2005 after wearing a German Second World War uniform to a costume party. This incident made headlines across the world.
In 2012, the same year that the meeting by the committee was held, Prince Harry was photographed naked at a Las Vegas pool party.
Peter – who is the late Queen’s eldest grandchild and only son of Princess Anne – has also received major criticism over the years. In 2008, following his wedding to ex wife Autumn, Peter received criticism over selling pictures from their special day to HELLO!.
According to royal biographer Andrew Lownie, Harry was, however, likely the main indicator of the decision.
He said: “Prince Harry was certainly having a bad press at the time.”
Mr Lownie added: “Having said that, I think producing a coin to commemorate the grandchildren of the [late] Queen is ridiculous.
“This should all be about the monarchy. I don’t think people would have rushed out and bought the coins.”
