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Blog: 7 Unique Royal Links to Jersey

As a Crown Dependency, Jersey has a fascinating history with the British monarchy and has been a royal destination of choice for centuries. The Island has been lucky enough to play host Queen Elizabeth II six times from 1947 to 2005 with her first trip as Monarch in 1957. In anticipation of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, we have compiled a list of the top seven weird and wonderful royal links of Jersey!

1. A Brace of Ducks

One of the strangest royal traditions is the presentation of two dead ducks to the Queen upon her arrival to Jersey. The gift is all part of a tradition that dates back 800 years, when the Seigneur of Trinity (a similar role to lord of a manor) was expected to pay homage to their ruler. This symbolic gesture most recently took place on the Queen’s last visit to Jersey in 2005.

2. The Royal Jersey Golf Club

This renown golf course is situated around Fort William and boasts unbeatable views of Mont Orgueil castle and the French coast. Founded over 140 years ago, the Club received its Royal warrant in 1879 from Her Majesty Queen Victoria. Its popularity is famous in Jersey for having a long waiting list but, as one of three 18-hole championship courses on the Island, golf-lovers are spoiled for choice!

3. The Royal Mace

The Royal Mace is nearly seven kilograms of silver gilt and is a symbol of Jersey’s fascinating and historic links with the Crown. It was gifted to the Island by King Charles II in November 1663 in thanks for the two occasions he stayed in Jersey during his exile. Alongside the mace, he gifted certain American colonies to the Island’s Bailiff which are now known as New Jersey!

4. The Potato

No royal list would be complete without the famous Jersey Royal New Potatoes. This humble potato was first planted on the Island 145 years ago and (just like the Champagne region) now holds a Protected Designation of Origin, meaning “Royals” can only be grown on Jersey!

5. The Royal Bay of Grouville

There are many beautiful beaches and bays to be found on Jersey’s coast but only one has the royal seal of approval. The origin story comes from Queen Victoria’s first visit to the Island in 1859. The Queen was so impressed with the bay that the UK Home Secretary wrote to the Bailiff of Jersey (who is crown-appointed and has a similar role to the Speaker in Westminster) that she desired that it should be known as the Royal Bay of Grouville. Today Islanders continue to enjoy the long bay’s golden sands and protected sea from swimming to water skiing.

6. Duke of Normandy

As if the royal links weren’t unique enough already, the Queen is referred to as the Duke of Normandy in Jersey. This comes from the fact that the Channel Islands are the last remaining part of the former Duchy of Normandy to remain under the rule of the British monarch and owe allegiance to her in her role as their Duke!

7. The Lieutenant-Governor

The Lieutenant-Governor is appointed by Her Majesty the Queen to be her personal representative in Jersey. The Lieutenant-Governor resides at Government House and has a range of responsibilities including as Commander-in-Chief of British Armed Forces in the Island. The current role holder is His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor of Jersey, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton GCB LLD(Hon) DSc(Hon) BSc FRAeS CCMI.

If you would like to know more about how Jersey could benefit you, please get in contact with the Locate Jersey team who will be happy to discuss. Call us on +44(0)1534 440604 or email locatejersey@gov.je.