100 Years of Monarchy and Democracy - Official Partner

About the Release

Chards Coin and Bullion Dealer has been selected to appear in a new publication entitled Monarchy and Democracy: A History of Leadership. An official History of Parliament project, this landmark book is produced in partnership with leading publisher St James’s House – an imprint within the SJH Group – and will be launched on 9 June 2026 in the grounds of Westminster Abbey in London, UK.

Written by a team of prominent academics and award-winning authors, including royal experts Robert Jobson, Russell Myers and Katie Nicholl, this beautifully presented hardback explores the evolving roles of Crown and Parliament in the leadership of the UK and the Commonwealth. Harking back to the origins and impact of one of the most significant pieces of legislation in British history, the Act of Settlement 1701, the book goes on to document the shifts in power.

Lawrence Chard, Chairman and CEO of Chards Coin and Bullion Dealer, says,

It has been an honour and privilege to be involved with such a prestigious release, and to be chosen to feature amongst such long-standing figures in British history. It is a point of pride within all of us at Chards that we bring decades of combined experience, and to have that showcased and immortalised in such a splendid book is invaluable.

Dr Jennifer Davey, Director at the History of Parliament Trust, says,

“The book not only explores the history and evolution of UK and Commonwealth governance and the shift to a constitutional monarchy, but also profiles a selection of organisations invited to join the project based on their relevance to the themes of leadership, innovation, sustainability and governance.”

Stephen van der Merwe, a Group Director at the SJH Group, says,

“Through in-depth interviews with the leaders of organisations such as Chards Coin and Bullion Dealer, and by spotlighting their work, Monarchy and Democracy provides a compelling, first-hand perspective on how today’s organisational leaders are shaping the future in a wide range of areas, including governance, education, charitable work, enterprise and industry.”

The publication’s launch will also incorporate the London Press Club Summer Garden Party, which will be attended by more than 300 senior figures from the UK’s leading media organisations and will include a celebration of the life of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. “This is a wonderful opportunity to honour Queen Elizabeth II and the historic contribution she made to the nation and the Commonwealth,” says Robert Jobson, deputy chair of the London Press Club. “Hers was a remarkable life, one that continues to inspire generations around the world.”

Available in both print and e-book formats, and distributed on a controlled-circulation basis, this publication will be made available to key political, institutional and educational audiences in the UK, Europe and the Commonwealth, and will be supported by the extensive online promotion of a complimentary digital edition.

The Launch Day

From left-to-right: Rochelle, Rufus, Jane, Lawrence, Sarah and Natalie

Our team had a wonderful time at the launch event for the book, hosted in the College Garden of Westminster Abbey. Many attendees were interested to see what we brought down, from our "Chards" branded Blackpool rock and physical copies of our Sovereign Guide, to the coins we brought, specifically, the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Queen Elizabeth II coins and a 1964 graded Sovereign, the same year that Chards was founded!

From everyone involved at Chards Coin and Bullion Dealer, we offer our greatest thanks to the people at St James's House and The History of Parliament and wish nothing but success for the release.