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Henry VIII's love token secured by British Museum after centuries lost
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 10, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 10, 2026
Quick Summary
Henry VIII's golden heart pendant, linked to his marriage with Katherine of Aragon, is now displayed at the British Museum after being secured for 3.5 million pounds.
Golden Heart Pendant of Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon Secured
Historical Significance of the Pendant
LONDON, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon's marriage didn't last - he divorced her in 1533 - but a golden heart pendant linked to their union did survive, and has now been secured for permanent display at the British Museum.
Discovery and Acquisition
The 24-carat-gold heart, complete with the couple's initials in red, and a picture of the Tudor rose and a pomegranate tree, was acquired by the British Museum after it raised 3.5 million pounds ($4.8 million) to save it from being sold to a private collector.
Symbolism and Design
The pendant -- a symbol of the couple's initially devoted but ultimately doomed marriage -- was lost for hundreds of years.
Public Engagement and Funding
But in 2019 it was discovered by a metal detectorist in a field in Warwickshire, and under British treasure laws, museums across the country have the chance to acquire significant historical finds before they go for general sale.
The pendant is the only piece of jewellery which still exists from Henry's 24-year marriage to Katherine, and features a banner which says "tousiors" or "always" in old French.
The item captured the imagination of about 45,000 individuals who donated 380,000 pounds alongside funding provided by the National Heritage Memorial Fund and other trusts to raise the price tag, half of which goes to the detectorist and half to the landowner.
"This beautiful survivor tells us about a piece of English history few of us knew, but in which we can all now share," British Museum director Nicholas Cullinan said in a statement on Tuesday.
The pendant was believed to have been created in 1518 to celebrate the betrothal of Henry and Katherine's daughter Mary to the French heir apparent.
But by the early 1530s, Henry had fallen out of love with Katherine and in love with Anne Boleyn, and was desperate for a male heir to secure the Tudor dynasty. Henry broke away from the Catholic Church to annul his marriage to Katherine.
($1 = 0.7315 pounds)
(Reporting by Sarah Young, Editing by William Maclean)
Key Takeaways
- •A golden heart pendant linked to Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon is now at the British Museum.
- •The pendant was discovered in 2019 by a metal detectorist in Warwickshire.
- •It symbolizes the couple's marriage and features their initials and Tudor symbols.
- •The British Museum raised 3.5 million pounds to acquire the pendant.
- •The pendant is the only known jewelry from Henry's marriage to Katherine.
Frequently Asked Questions about Henry VIII's love token secured by British Museum after centuries lost
1What is a golden heart pendant?
A golden heart pendant is a piece of jewelry, often symbolizing love or affection. In this context, it refers to a historical artifact associated with Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon.
2What is the significance of the Tudor rose?
The Tudor rose is a symbol of the Tudor dynasty, representing the union of the houses of Lancaster and York. It signifies the end of the Wars of the Roses.
3What are British treasure laws?
British treasure laws allow museums to acquire significant historical finds before they are sold to private collectors, ensuring the preservation of cultural heritage.
4What is the National Heritage Memorial Fund?
The National Heritage Memorial Fund is a UK organization that provides financial support for the preservation of heritage sites and artifacts of national significance.
