An E.II.R Queen’s Messenger Badge in silver-gilt and enamels with hallmarks for London, 1997
Queen’s Messenger Badge, E.II.R., silver-gilt and enamels with hallmarks for London, 1997, Padget and Braham, London maker.
Condition: Extremely Fine.
The King's Messengers have been employed to carry Royal messages since the 15th century. Richard III reputedly employed a messenger to hand deliver his private papers in 1485.
Charles II employed four messengers. When asked how they were to be identified as His Majesty's messengers, Charles II broke off four greyhounds from a silver breakfast platter and presented each with this token. This has remained the symbol of the Messenger to this day.
Originally each government department would have had their own messengers. These messengers were gentleman of high standing, and were unlikely to merely deliver packages. It is more likely they employed others to do their work for them.
In 1641 'Forty messengers of the Great Chamber of Ordinary' were lodged in the Royal Palaces, under the orders of the Lord Chamberlain.
The formation of the Foreign Office in 1782 saw the King's messengers take a more prominent role. The Messenger Service was now divided into two separate divisions, King's Home Service Messengers and Corps of King's Foreign Service.
The Corps of E.II.R. Queen's Messengers existed throughout her reign. In 2005 there were reportedly 15 messengers in Her Majesty's Service. They are still issued with a red passport. They still carry the official sealed diplomatic bag which cannot be inspected by customs officers.
