The connection between an Arbroath cornerstone and the events in Oscar-nominated movie The King’s Speech has brought a historical anomaly back to the spotlight.
Included in the British film is the true story of how “King” Edward abdicated the throne in 1936, leaving his stuttering brother Albert (King George VI) to step into his place.
However, prior to him stepping down, a cornerstone inscribed with ‘E VIII R 1936’ was installed by Arbroath Town Council at the Labour Exchange in Millgate Loan.
As Edward reigned for less than a year and never had a coronation he was never officially recognised as king and the stone has remained a quirk of history ever since.
Fife stonemason George Sweeney Jnr, who was given the task of cleaning and repairing the stone after the exchange building was demolished 2006, said the movie had rekindled interest in the unusual block.
He said, “After the demolition the stone was saved for posterity and was subsequently returned to the site which was being developed as apartments.
“As far as we know it is one of very few such references to the king in the United Kingdom and of 161 pillarboxes with the lettering on them countrywide, our research revealed that only five remain, including one in Hyndland Road, Glasgow, and another in Desswood Place, Aberdeen.
“So it is all the more important that a stone like this was preserved because of its rarity.”