THE birth of Prince George of Cambridge signals the beginning of a new generation of the modern British monarchy.

Not yet three months old, he is already commanding unprecedented affection. And for the first time commemorative coins have been produced to mark a royal christening.

It's not me saying all that stuff. It's the Daily Telegraph. Form an orderly queue for the Royal Mint coins, especially the one made from a kilo of gold and costing £50,000.

But by all means let us tap into the nation's deep affection for the Windsor infant. Every child in the land should get a royal christening piece.

Older readers may recall the tradition of the christening piece. On the way to the baptismal service, the godmother selects a passing child to receive a gift of a half-crown coin embedded between two digestive biscuits (Abernethy if it's a posh family) held together by butter.

This idea is to bring good fortune to the baby. It certainly did to the recipient, as a half-crown funded 30 purchases from the penny tray at the sweetie shop.

So how about a £5 christening coin for every wean under five? Prince George's proud grandfather can provide the biscuits from his Duchy of Cornwall range.

The christening piece will, of course, be subject to hygiene, health and safety rules. Packaging will have to state clearly that the item contains metal. The coin will be in a plastic wrapper to avoid contact with the butter. Except it won't be butter but a low-fat, low-salt spread.

There will be an expiry date on the food element. Parental consent and indemnity forms will require to be signed.

Another tradition worth reviving is the wedding scramble. The father of the bride chucks a handful of coins from the bridal car as it drives off and a pack of children risk death under the wheels or cuts and bruises in the ensuing scuffle over the money.

There should be nationwide scrambles at all future royal weddings. To comply with safety and equal opportunity legislation it will be easier if the Windsors simply send a small cheque to each household in the realm.

I am coming over all monarchist here. Other royal traditions worth bringing back: beheading a king called Charles; locking princes in the tower; and a battle for succession between monarch and son-in-law on the green grassy slopes of the Boyne.