The Revised Elizabeth II Seal (1962)

On the 22nd June 1961 Sir Robert Black proposed to the Colonial Office that the new Arms should replace the old picture in the Public Seal. The Secretary of State, having consulted the Royal Mint, agreed and forwarded an excellent and handsome new design on 6th December 1961. It was approved by the Executive Council on 9th January 1962 and the Secretary of State was asked to arrange for its preparation. On the 20th August 1962 the Secretary of State forwarded the new seal together with a Warrant dated 9th August 1962 from Her Majesty authorizing its use. This Seal is shown in Plate XV. It was gazetted on 4th January 1963.

Thus, quietly and without fuss or argument, the controversial and strange device, which had graced the Hong Kong flag in various guises for ninety years and decorated the public seal for a hundred and twenty years, frequently derided and as often defended, finally disappeared from these two insignia. Sir Cecil Clementi, who had fought so hard for the abolition of the harbour picture in 1912, would have been pleased. But many regret the passing of this historical scene, and it is pleasant to record that it may still be found in the Arms of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation and in the Badge of the Police Force.