The Royal Mint has officially launched its support for The Queen’s Green Canopy – planting a tree at its South Wales site in celebration of Her Majesty’s upcoming Platinum Jubilee.
During a special event to mark the occasion, The Royal Mint Chief Executive Anne Jessopp was joined by The Queen’s Lord Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan Peter Vaughan to plant a rowan tree in Llantrisant.
Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant received a private tour from the Royal Mint Museum Director, Dr Kevin Clancy, following how the story of Queen Elizabeth II has been told on coins for almost 70 years.
The event heralds the start of The Royal Mint’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations which is set to include one of the largest coin collections stretching 1,100 years, and the first UK 50p to celebrate a royal event.
As part of a wider initiative to create greener spaces for its employees, The Royal Mint CEO also shared the news that a further 1,000 trees would be gifted to staff in the new year.
Speaking at the event, The Royal Mint’s Chief Executive Anne Jessopp said:
“The Platinum Jubilee is a historic celebration of a remarkable reign and one that has been commemorated on coins for almost 70 years. With our proud heritage of striking coins for her Majesty, it is a privilege to plant a tree for the jubilee at our home in Llantrisant. It is a special honour to be joined by the Lord Lieutenant to mark the Queen’s legacy, benefitting the environment, and encouraging our employees to come together for a worthy cause.”
She added: “To mark this wonderful occasion, I am delighted to announce that we will be extending our support for The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative in the new year and gifting saplings to all our employees.”
The Royal Mint has struck five effigies of the Queen on circulating coin and commemorated royal milestones, such as the Silver, Gold and Diamond Jubilee, on crown pieces which feature in the collection at the Royal Mint Museum.
Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant viewed a range of circulating and commemorative coins during his tour, before meeting The Royal Mint Gardening Club, made up of volunteers who will take care of the tree.
Mr Vaughan thanked The Royal Mint for supporting the sustainable tree planting initiative and playing its part in the Jubilee celebrations for Britain’s longest serving monarch.
Peter Vaughan QPM, CStJ, HM Lord Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan said: “The Queen’s Green Canopy is a fantastic legacy initiative to honour of The Queen that will improve our environment for generations to come. It has been a pleasure to visit The Royal Mint today and I thank everyone involved for their commitment to creating a greener community for employees, as well as their authentic role as the makers of coins bearing Her Majesty’s portrait for almost 70 years.”
