Queen Camilla was recently bestowed a significant honor, becoming an honorary liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Fan Makers. The ceremony took place at Clarence House, the London residence of Her Majesty. The Queen, accompanied by the Duchess of Gloucester, looked elegant in a black pinafore dress with leopard print detailing. During the ceremony, Peter Dove, the master fan maker, clothed the Queen in a gown, officially making her an honorary member of the company.
The Significance of Clarence House
Usually, ceremonies of this nature would be conducted within the Square Mile of the City of London. However, the Worshipful Company of Fan Makers was granted special dispensation to carry out the ceremony at Clarence House. This distinction highlights the importance and prestige associated with this particular honor bestowed upon Queen Camilla.
As the ceremony unfolded, Queen Camilla expressed her excitement, stating, “I’m thrilled because I love fans – I’ve got a collection upstairs.” This intimate detail emphasizes her genuine enthusiasm for the craft and its historical significance. Among the display of fans was one of Camilla’s personal heirlooms – a dark blue fan that originally belonged to her great-grandmother, Alice Keppel. Alice Keppel was a long-standing mistress of Edward VII. The Queen explained the fan’s restoration process, as it had been repaired by experts associated with the Fan Museum. Queen Camilla regarded the fan as beautiful and special, acknowledging its significance to her and her family.
The Duchess of Gloucester, the wife of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin, Prince Richard, was also present at the ceremony. Birgitte, a Danish-born royal, became a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Fan Makers in 2005, further strengthening the connection between the British royal family and this esteemed company. The Worshipful Company of Fan Makers, dating back to 1670, is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. Its origins can be traced back to a Guild formed via a petition to Parliament, in response to the threat of imported fans. The Guild of Fan Makers later received its Royal Charter in 1709. Today, the company continues to foster and promote the artistry of traditional fan making.
A Remarkable Day for the Royals
The ceremony at Clarence House took place just hours after King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in London from their private residence at Sandringham via helicopter. The King, who is currently undergoing treatment for cancer, made the trip primarily for medical reasons. Despite postponing public duties, he continues to work on his state papers behind closed doors. Buckingham Palace confirmed that Charles does not have prostate cancer but rather a different form of the disease. His diagnosis came about while being treated for his benign enlarged prostate.
The honoring of Queen Camilla by the Worshipful Company of Fan Makers stands as a momentous occasion within the British royal family’s history. The significance of the ceremony, coupled with the shared passion for fans demonstrated by Queen Camilla, establishes a personal connection between the Queen and the craft. The inclusion of the Duchess of Gloucester further strengthens the bond between the royal family and the Worshipful Company of Fan Makers. Ultimately, the ceremony at Clarence House signifies the admiration and recognition bestowed upon Queen Camilla for her contributions to the arts and her enduring support of traditional fan making.
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