I think this is a subject that many people don't even consider unless they specifically collect British cap badges but it is relevant to all who may include anything relating to a British regiment in their collection.
Most unit headress badges around the world incorporate some degree of symbology in their design.
This is particularly true of British unit insignia with the two main (not the only) areas being; regimental history reflecting the lineage of the unit and alliegience to the Sovereign.
The first is based on the original formation of the unit and subsequent changes required by amalgamations or title changes such as unit designations or the granting of the "Royal" prefix etc.
The second is predictable and takes place when a new Sovereign takes the throne. This is usually a change in the royal cypher unless other changes are mandated at the same time.
These changes are most clearly observed in the badges we most easily recognise as "modern" ie those in use from the start of the 20th Century (some Victorian badges can be included in the concept however).
To illustrate my point here I show a group of Military Police Other Ranks (Enlisted men) cap badges from 1901 to the present day.
It should be noted that cap badges with the cypher of King Edward VIII do appear from time to time but these are all suspect and only very (I mean very) few are thought to have been made and even fewer issued. I have seen virtually no evidence of such badges actually being worn as he was king for less than a year (327 days) and never crowned. The Coronation planned for 1937, after which his cypher would have been fully adopted, was cancelled when he abdicated.
Note also that I show two G VI R badges. The second illustrates the change of title after WWII when the royal prefix was granted thus styling the "Corps of Military Police" as the "Royal Military Police"
Officers badges follow the same principles but are made of different materials in higher quality.
Of couse regiments that do not include royal cyphers or titles that might change remain unaltered when a new sovereign ascends the Throne. They would usually change on amalgamation with another regiment but that is a different subject.
I hope this is of interest.
Regards
Mark
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