THE CRIMEAN WAR MEDALS AWARDED TO THE 2ND DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE |

comprising British Crimea Medal with four clasps Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann and Sebastopol, officially engraved in small serif capitals LIEUT GENL  H.R.H. THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE, and Turkish Crimea Medal, Sardinian Issue, unnamed, surface scuffs and have been lacquered, good very fine

Queen Victoria distributed the first Crimea campaign medals on Horse Guard’s Parade on 18th May 1855. The ceremony itself was organised by the Duke, who subsequently wrote in his diary: ‘I commanded the parade, and was the first to receive the medal … it was indeed a proud moment when I stepped forward to receive the medal at the Queen’s hand. I shall never forget it as long as I live.’

As is shown in numerous photographs and portraits, the Duke chose to wear his Crimean and other medals fastened individually, just beneath his collar, in preference to mounting them as a group.