The anointing screen to be used during the king's coronation is blessed before a small congregation at the Royal Chapel in St James's Palace, London. Credit: Victoria Jones/PA Wire
The king demanded more privacy for the most sacred part of his coronation ceremony, as revealed when his anointing screen was opened.
He will have more privacy than previous monarchs during time for a religious moment before his coronation.
Nick Gutfreund, who led the screen project, said the king «wanted real privacy and wanted to take the opportunity to connect with people, not just something decorative — it's actually conveying a message.»
Unlike his late mother's coronation in 1953, the king will be anointed out of sight, enclosed behind a three-sided screen, not just a canopy.
A new screen that pays homage to the Commonwealth and a lifetime's passion for sustainability will be used when the monarch is anointed Archbishop of Canterbury on May 6.
Anointing Screen Credit & Copyright: Victoria Jones Anointing Screen Old Testament tradition
Anointing is when an archbishop pours holy oil from an ampoule (or vessel) onto a coronation spoon and anoints the sovereign's hands, chest, and head. The sacred moment takes place before the investiture and coronation of the monarch.
The tradition is based on the Old Testament, which describes the anointing of Solomon by the priest Zadok and the prophet Nathan.
Traditionally, this was done to confirm that the sovereign was directly appointed by God, but since the seventeenth century the monarch has not been considered as divine.
In 1953, an anointing gold brocade canopy was held over the head of Queen Elizabeth II to protect her private life, but all parishioners could witness this moment, as she was not protected on the sides.
The three-sided screen of the king will protect him from prying eyes in a deeply spiritual moment.
A canopy of gold brocade was placed over Elizabeth II by four Knights of the Garter prior to her anointing as Archbishop of Canterbury on 2 June 1953. seclusion to the most sacred part of the ceremony. And before it was a canopy over the roof, which did not really provide real privacy. It was more figurative. Now this three-sided screen provides absolute privacy during the process,” said Mr. Gutfreund.
Inspired by the Chapel Royal tree
The artist Aidan Hart designed the screen and was asked by the King to be inspired by the Golden Jubilee stained glass window in the Royal Chapel at St. parishioners, a tree is depicted with the names of 56 Commonwealth member states embroidered on separate leaves, and a simpler cross is embroidered on two side screens. All screens measure 2.6 m high and 2.2 m wide.
The royal monogram at the base of the tree trunk represents the sovereign as a servant of the people of the Commonwealth.
“It's about the Commonwealth, how countries work together, and how the king really is. center of it and bringing everyone together,” said Mr Gutfreund.
Intricate Embroidery
The intricate screen embroidery was done by staff and students of the Royal School of Needlework, Hampton Court, as well as members of the Worshipful Company of Brokers, Drapers and Weavers.
Some of the 150 people involved in the creation of the screen, donated by the City of London Corporation and participating livery companies, attended a short dedication service at King's Chapel when the screen was dedicated on Monday.
King Charles III and the Queen view embroidery on part of a screen during their visit to the Royal College of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace. Photo: Kirsty O' ;Connor/PA Wire
In March, Charles saw how the screen was embroidered during a private visit to the Royal School of Needlework, located in Hampton Court Palace, under the auspices of the Queen Consort.
Modern technologies were used to speed up the process. , while London-based Digitek used embroidery machines to outline the tree and trunk with strong thread, and the fabric was made from Australian and New Zealand wool that was woven and finished in factories in the UK.
Intended for use. used again
It was all designed to be reused by the Prince of Wales when he becomes king should he choose to use it, and includes nods to his passion for sustainability and recycling, as the screen is supported by a wood frame made from windblown oak. a tree from the royal estate at Windsor.
Mr. Gutfreund, a cabinetmaker with the Worshipful Company of Carpenters, created the frame of the screen, surmounted by two gilded eagles, reminiscent of the eagles embroidered on the canopy. used by Queen Elizabeth.
“We didn't want to spend money on things that couldn't be reused. This screen can be used in future coronations. We used materials from sustainable sources,” he said.
The Royal School of Needlework, founded in 1872, worked on the gold fabric canopy used at the coronations of George VI in 1937 and the Queen. Elizabeth II in 1953.
Next week, at the coronation of the king, a new screen will be carried by soldiers of the Life Guards and guards of the infantry regiments of the Palace Division.
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