Almost every day of her reign, including weekends and holidays, Queen Elizabeth received Red Boxes that were made upon her coronation in 1952. After her passing, King Charles III was pictured with the same Red Box while taking up his new state duties in Buckingham Palace.
What’s in the Red Box?
The ‘Red Box’, is literally a red box. But it contains papers from government ministers in the UK and the Realms and from representatives from the Commonwealth and beyond.
The Red Box is an efficient and secure transportation of sensitive documents that impact the United Kingdom and our relations with other countries. They contain the state decisions that are made by The Monarch, the Prime Minister and other ministers.
Each day the papers contained in the Red Boxes are prepared for the Sovereign, and the ministers by their private offices. Papers included usually need decisions, while other documents include briefing papers and papers for meetings. Red Boxes follow their holders around the world, ensuring they can execute the responsibilities of their office. Wherever in the world the Sovereign or Minister is, the Red Box is close by.
Why Red?
There are two possible reasons why the Despatch Box became the iconic red color. The widely-accepted reason relates to Prince Albert, Consort to Queen Victoria, who is said to have preferred the color as it was used prominently in the arms of his family, the Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.
However, there is a school of thought with origins dating back to the late 16th century, when Queen Elizabeth I’s representative Francis Throckmorton presented the Spanish Ambassador, Bernardino de Mendoza, with a specially constructed red briefcase filled with black puddings. It was seen as an official communication from The Queen, and so the color red became the official color of the state.
Can’t they just email or text?
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth received Red Boxes, which were made upon her coronation in 1952, almost every day of her reign, including weekends and holidays, but excluding Christmas Day.
King Charles III has been pictured with his official red box in a photograph released by Buckingham Palace as the new monarch takes up his official duties following the death and state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
They say that the Red Box is a visible symbol of the democratic system of government of the Commonwealth. The designation of the Red Box goes back to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and refers to an important message for the Queen.
The modern role of Boxes in the governance process has not changed for over a century. The papers they contain ensure there is transparency in the decision making process, and provide a historic record. Physical documents and papers remain as important now as ever.
