BELGIUM, ORDER OF LEOPOLD |

Military Division, Grand Cross Set of Insignia, by C.J. Buls, Brussels, comprising: sash badge, in gold and enamels, with crossed swords above the badge and beneath crown suspension, width 71.5mm, and breast star, in pierced silver with centre in gold and enamels and crossed swords in gold, reverse backplate with maker’s mark C.J. BULS 103 MARCHÉ  DES HERBES BRUXELLES and having a marked vertical silver brooch-pin and two hooks for suspension, minimal traces of wear and virtually as made, with original sash (lot)

The Duke of Cambridge received the Order of Leopold during his visit to Brussels in December 1865, when he represented Queen Victoria at the funeral of King Leopold I. His diary entry for 17^th December, 1865, the day after the funeral itself, records: 'Went to the Palace in uniform, the King having sent Monsieur Rogiers in morning to present the Belgian Order to me, and I wore it as a matter of course. From the Palace all the Royal personages drove together to the Palais de la Nation to be ready to receive their Majesties…'