A gold beaker and cover, supported on three cast, standing, crowned lions, each holding a shield, on a triform base. The body has a plain rim. The upper tier is inset with profile medallions of Christian IX and Queen Louise of Denmark, and Albert Edward (1841–1910) and Alexandra of Wales, each with a strapwork surround, on a ground engraved with scrolls, with smaller medallions showing members of the British royal family: Princess Louisa (1724–51) and Philippa (1394–1430); and the Danish royal family: Anna and George (1653–1708). The lower tier is applied with scenes of a ship, with Sweyn Forkbeard (960–1014) in the prow; the figures of Cnut (c.995–1035) and his consort, Ælfgifu (Emma; c.985–1052), kneeling before a large altar cross, with angels above; and a scene of Cnut attempting to turn the tide. The cover has a finial cast as a crowned rampant lion holding a shield, on a beaded circular spool, with a border of putti, swags of drapery, fruit and flowers, on a matted ground with an outer, spirally gadrooned border.

The Danish artist Heinrich Hansen was commissioned by Christian IX of Denmark to design this beaker as a christening gift for his grandson Prince Albert Victor, eldest son of the Prince and Princess of Wales. The beaker is accordingly decorated with iconography symbolising the historic connections between the royal houses of Denmark and Great Britain.The portraits show the donors, Christian IX himself and his consort, Queen Louise, their daughter, Alexandra, Princess of Wales, and their son-in-law, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, parents of Albert Victor. The four other portraits relate to figures who became consorts in England and Denmark respectively – Philippa, daughter of Henry IV of England, who was consort of Erik V of Denmark, and Princess Louisa, daughter of George II of Britain, who married Frederik V of Denmark, side by side with Anna, consort of James I and VI of England and Scotland, and Prince George, consort of Queen Anne. It is supported on three Danish lions bearing the royal arms of Britain, Denmark and Wales.

Heinrich Hansen specialised in painting architectural scenes. His design for the beaker is based on an early eighteenth-century piece in the Danish royal collection at Rosenborg Palace, known as the Holstein beaker, a gold beaker with enamelled and diamond-set mounts, which was a gift from Frederik IV (1671–1730) to his Great Chancellor, Count Holstein, probably as a New Year’s gift in 1729–30. The gift to Albert Victor and the Holstein beaker are of a similar form, and each is supported on three lions holding shields, although the decorative schemes are very different.

This beaker was made in the workshops of Anton Michelsen, who was appointed jeweller to the Danish court in 1848.

Cover and base struck with gold standard mark (16 carats), city mark of Copenhagen (1864), assayer's mark of S. Groth (1863-1904), and maker's mark of Anton Michelsen.
Engraved on rim, PRESENTED TO PRINCE ALBERT VICTOR CHRISTIAN EDWARD OF WALES FROM HIS GRANDFATHER AND GODFATHER CHRISTIAN IX KING OF DENMARK, MARCH 10TH 1864; base inscribed, A. MICHELSEN / HOF. JUVELEER / KJÖBENHAVN.