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From a fragment of Christ's cross to Blue Peter badge, bizarre gifts from around the world given to King Charles
THE King was given a Rolls-Royce and a pair of his 'n' hers walking boots among hundreds of Coronation gifts, it has been revealed.
Buckingham Palace published a list of official gifts to the Royal Family for the first time in five years.
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His Majesty received 268 presents in 2023 — his Coronation year — including a Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II from the King of Bahrain, worth at least £355,000.
Palace sources say the car is among the royal state fleet of vehicles and not being used for Charles's personal travel.
President Katalin Novak of Hungary gave the King and Queen two pairs of boots featuring their royal cyphers.
Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky presented the King with a framed mosaic, scroll and signed ship's flag during their audience at Buckingham Palace
And Pope Francis gave him a piece of the True Cross, believed to be part of the one Jesus Christ was crucified on.
On a State Visit to Germany in 2022, animal-lover Charles received a wooden insect hotel and Beethoven CD, from President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
A bottle of gin made in Uganda was presented by its High Commission. The Governor of Tasmania offered up more gin and jars of honey.
Fragrance retailer J Floris of Piccadilly made the royal couple personalised scents called Charles R and Camilla R.
The King also received a gold Blue Peter badge in 2023 to reward his environmental work and support for youngsters. The Queen was awarded one for her work with literacy
The late Queen Elizabeth II received 65 presents during her Platinum Jubilee year in 2022.
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The Army gave Her Late Majesty, who was by this stage suffering mobility problems, a mottled hazel walking cane.
Her final gift was a stained-glass panel to commemorate her 70th year as monarch, received on September 5th — just three days before she died.
Several royals were given biscuits. At the height of Covid pandemic in 2020, Princess Anne was sent hand sanitiser.
Prince Edward and wife Sophie also received a Lagos version of Monopoly on their Royal tour of Nigeria in 2020.
An insider said: 'Gifts, where they can be, become part of the Royal Collection, where the whole nation can enjoy them.'
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