William IV's coronation was in direct contrast to that of his brother, George IV, which had taken place ten years earlier. This, combined with the king's affability and sailor's bluntness, made him immensely popular with the common people. Even the great Duke of Wellington remarked that he could do more business with King William in 10 minutes than he could do with his predecessor in 10 days.

The heraldic handles are formed as the crest of Howard, for Bernard Edward (Howard), 12th Duke of Norfolk (1765-1842)

The cup was made for the 12th Duke of Norfolk presumably as a perquisite of his office at William IV's coronation in 1830. In 1824, the 12th Duke of Norfolk and his successors were empowered to exercise the office of Earl Marshall, notwithstanding their Roman Catholic faith. Under the Roman Catholic Relief Bill, the 12th Duke was admitted to his seat in the House of Lords on April 28, 1829. The Duke, a Whig and a supporter of the Reform Bill, was knighted in 1834. He married Lady Elizabeth Belasyse, daughter of the Earl of Falconberg in 1789, but the marriage ended in divorce by Act of Parliament in May 1794. The cause of the divorce was crim. con., which she committed with the Hon. Richard Bingham, later Earl of Lucan, whom she married immediately following her divorce. The Duchess had been in love with Bingham before marrying the Duke, and it was her father who had forced her into the unhappy marriage, which did at least produce an heir. She died in Paris in 1819.