- By Genevieve Tudor
- Journalist, BBC Shropshire Radio
The moment when the screen shielded King Charles III when he was anointed
The designer of King Charles III’s anointing spoke of his pride that the intricate work was the “culmination” of the Coronation.
Aidan Hart, of Shropshire, received a phone call in November from Her Majesty’s personal secretary asking him to join.
He painstakingly created the design for the embroidered veil that covered the King in the presence of millions of people.
Mr Hart said it was “an honor” to be a part of the historic event.
The screen protects the King as sacred oils are anointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury of Westminster Abbey.
Mr. Hart said it took about 4 months from designing to creating the screen
“The anointing, the culmination of the ceremony, was not filmed,” explains Mr. Hart. “The Queen has one curtain, but the King wants three screens.
“That is, spiritually speaking, when the King becomes king.”
The iconographer said he had known the King for 25 years and had previously ordered works from him, so the phone call was not a big shock.
“Initially, they suggested a rug, but I say embroidery is much better for a variety of reasons,” he says.
He drew inspiration from a stained glass window at the Chapel Royal in St James’s Palace of a Commonwealth tree.
The countries of the commonwealth are embroidered on the leaves with soft blue fabric
The Royal School of Sewing did most of the embroidery work
“Essentially, the Commonwealth countries represent like a tree, so that’s the base,” he said, although he has “completely changed the design”.
It was embroidered by the Royal School of Sewing based in Hampton Court, but when the master embroiderer arrived in Australia, the people there added their skills to the display as well to reflect the Commonwealth theme. shared.
Two other Shropshire craftsmen were involved in the project – sculptor Tim Royall modeled two gilded bronze eagles on the main display and they were cast by Paul Kennedy of Bridgnorth-based Paul Kennedy Studio .
The King and Queen watch the screen during its creation
Mr Hart said he had seen the display in the monastery during rehearsals and had been invited to a reception at Windsor Castle ahead of Sunday night’s concert.
Praises have gone viral on social media for Mr Hart and his participation in such an iconic part of the Coronation.
“Who would have thought that such an honor would come from a former citizen of little Pontesbury,” he told followers.
