A Boxful of Royal Treasures – Princess Mary’s 1914 Christmas Gift Box

A century ago, a simple brass tin carried a royal message of hope to soldiers on the front line. When a sealed box was discovered at auction, it revealed one of the most touching Christmas gestures in British history — Princess Mary’s 1914 Christmas Gift Box, a royal treasure created to bring comfort during the First World War.

If you enjoy exploring how festive traditions evolved through the decades, take a look at our Christmas gifts of the 1940s and Christmas gifts through history guides.

The Princess Mary Christmas Fund

In 1914, Princess Mary — daughter of King George V — launched a national appeal to send every British soldier and sailor a Christmas gift. The idea captured the public imagination, raising enough money to produce hundreds of thousands of embossed brass tins.

Each tin originally contained:

Chocolate
Cigarettes or tobacco
Sweets
A bullet‑case pencil
A printed Christmas card from Princess Mary

The message was simple: even in wartime, no one should feel forgotten at Christmas.

By the end of the war, more than 2.5 million tins had been distributed across the world.

The Lost Box Rediscovered

One of these tins never reached its intended recipient. Decades later, it appeared at auction — still sealed, still wrapped, still untouched since 1914.

When the box was opened at the Chalke Valley History Festival, its contents were found in pristine condition. The tin, chocolate, pencil and card had remained perfectly preserved for 100 years. The discovery was valued at nearly £30,000, with proceeds donated to a services charity — a fitting continuation of Princess Mary’s original act of generosity.

For more festive nostalgia, explore how families celebrated in later decades with our Celebrate bygone Christmases feature.

A Royal Gesture Remembered

Princess Mary’s gift box remains a powerful symbol of unity, compassion and royal duty. It represents a moment when the nation came together to send warmth and comfort to those far from home — a reminder that even in hardship, Christmas kindness endures.

Where to See One Today

Original tins can be viewed at the Imperial War Museum and in private collections. Collectors can also find high‑quality reproduction tins and WWI‑themed keepsakes online — ideal for vintage displays or historical Christmas décor.