1998 Upmann Queen's Jubilee Monarchs

These cigars are quite expensive, purchased in London. They are 1998 production with a special band for the 2002 Queen's Jubilee Celebration. Are they special production cigars? I am told by an impeccable source in the trade in the UK:

The Upmann Monarchs - untubed - have not been available in the UK for many years. The Jubilee cigars were part of a small 'one-off' delivery from Cuba. All of the cigars (not sure how many but it was not a large order) were banded for the Jubilee. I think we can say it was a genuine special edition.