In April 1660 Charles II moved to The Hague where he heard the request that he should return to rule his kingdom. After celebrations at The Hague and a final banquet given by the States General, Charles and his entourage set sail from the Dutch shore at Scheveningen on 23 May 1660.

The departure from Scheveningen is commemorated on this fine medal by Peter van Abeele. The obverse shows the king wearing armour and the Lesser George, with the legend CAROLUS.II.D.G.MAGNAE.BRIT.FRA.ET.HIB.REX. The reverse shows the fleet setting sail, with an angel bearing a ribbon inscribed SOLI DEO GLORIA ('To God alone be the glory') and, below the waves, a plaque inscribed S.M. is uit Hollant van Scheveling afgevaren naer sijn Conincrijkrn Ao. 1660 Juni 2 ('His Majesty travelled out of Holland from Scheveningen to his Kingdom on 2 June 1660' (the date by the Gregorian calendar, corresponding to 23 May by the Julian calendar). The legend reads IN NOMINE MEO EXALTABITUR CORNU EIUS. PSAL.89 ('In my name shall his horn be lifted high. Psalm 89').

Text adapted from Charles II: Art & Power (London, 2017)