Reception for the Anointing Screen Project
30th October 2023Drapers' Hall
One of the privileges of attending the Lord Mayor’s Dinner in honour of Their Majesties the King and Queen was to see the Anointing Screen that featured prominently in the Coronation and was contributed by the City Livery Companies, including ours. During one magical evening at Drapers’ Hall, contributing Masters were invited to view the screen up close but, more importantly, we heard the behind the scenes stories from the individuals who received the call from the Palace and not only created every individual part of the anointing screen but also the Military Commander who was responsible for the people who carried and held the screen during the Coronation itself.
Master Draper Tom Harris is a remarkable host and enabled us to experience a close-up of a piece of history that will remain relevant forever. IPM Paul Taberer and I were in awe as we listened to one captivating story after another.
The evening began with Master Draper’s welcome followed by ‘The Beginning’ introduced by Nick Gutfreund. Nick designs and makes bespoke fine furniture. Nick coordinated the entire project and during the evening his leadership was apparent. Aiden Hart gave us an insight into the design idea. Pete Tarrant led the team behind the digital embroidery. Given the tight timetable, Pete and his team were integral. The hand embroidery including a leaf representing every country in the Commonwealth which was designed, implemented and explained under the stewardship of Anne Butcher and Gemma Murray and the Royal School of Needlework Embroidery Studio. Sheer beauty and exceptional craftsmanship was evident in every stitch. Nick Gutfreund created the extraordinary frame and Tim Royal made the Eagles. It was exciting to hear how they were made and the fact that he named them!!!
Time was of the essence: weeks, days, hours were choreographed. Ultimately the screen was delivered on time to Hampton Court Palace on Friday April 21st to be assembled and formally received by Canon Paul Wright MA who blessed it.
W01 David Roper of the Grenadier Guards and his men saw the screen at Hampton Court and were given an opportunity to lift it and practice properly for the first time.
There is a commitment to afford the public an opportunity to view the screen in a series of viewings around the country that are still in the planning stages. For Paul Taberer and I the blessing was in seeing and hearing the miraculous stories of commitment, determination and love that brought together an incredibly talented group of individuals, supported by the City of London Livery Companies, who created a screen fit for a King!