54. Anointing Screen for the Coronation, Donors’ Reception, 30 October 2023

The Worshipful Company of Water Conservators made a donation towards the production of the anointing screen used at the King’s Coronation.  Fleet Warden Carolyn Roberts and I attended a reception held for over 200 representatives of the donors in the impressive surroundings of the Drapers’ Hall.

We were given a fascinating series of presentations on the development of the initial concept in autumn 2022, the preparation and production of the screen, its blessing at a special service of dedication at the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, through to its use during the Coronation Service on 6 May at Westminster Abbey.  Every stage was carefully planned with teams bringing together traditional and modern skills. We even saw the careful choreography of the guard in the Abbey to ensure the screens were in the right place at the right time.

We heard that the screen was inspired by the stained glass sanctuary window in the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace, which had been given by the Livery Companies to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee in 2002. It was designed by Aidan Hart and its production was managed by the Royal School of Needlework based at Hampton Court. The screen includes a mixture of hand and digital embroidery including 1.3 million digital stiches.

The screen has 56 unique leaves representing the 56 members of the Commonwealth with the King’s cipher at the bottom representing his position as servant to the people.

Reflecting the King’s commitment to the environment and sustainability, I asked how this was reflected in the design and materials used in the screen.  The Hampton Court team described the resourcing of the work from their huge collection of threads and wool, much recycled and recovered.   The oak poles were made from a windblown tree from the Windsor Estate.

During the reception afterwards we marvelled at the professional skills and project management putting a magnificent piece of work together on time.