Queen Camilla ‘deeply honoured’ to receive present three years after Coronation

Queen Camilla was left "deeply honoured" after she received a special present earlier today, three years after the King's Coronation.

The Queen travelled to The Fan Museum in Greenwich on Thursday to inaugurate the new Monarchy exhibition.

During the visit, the 78-year-old monarch received the exquisite fan depicted in her official coronation portrait by artist Paul Benney.

The presentation was made by Master of the Livery Dinesh Naidu, with the Duchess of Gloucester also in attendance as a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Fan Makers.

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The coronation ceremony took place at Westminster Abbey on May 6 2023, where the King and Queen were crowned and anointed in a deeply religious service.

The remarkable fan was crafted by Frederick Gay, France's master fan maker, with the entire creation process spanning approximately three years.

Commissioned by Peter Dove, former master of The Worshipful Company of Fan Makers, the piece was not part of the official coronation attire.

The intricate design incorporates deeply personal elements, including the Queen's favourite flowers and butterflies, alongside her birthday star constellation.

A dragonfly motif also adorns the fan, symbolising George and the Dragon.

This was the first occasion on which Camilla had seen the finished creation, having only previously viewed it depicted in Benney's full-length portrait unveiled last year.

The Queen expressed her delight upon seeing the finished piece, telling Mr Benney: "It is so beautiful. I shall use it on very special occasions. I am deeply honoured to have it."

She added: "I think Paul's work is beautiful, just like the portrait."

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When the artist explained the celestial elements woven into the design, pointing out the birth date constellations painted among the stars, Camilla responded with evident surprise.

"Goodness me I would never have guessed that. I am very glad you are here to explain it to me," she remarked.

The painted fan had been specifically chosen by Benney for inclusion in his portrait.

The Monarchy exhibition showcases approximately 80 fans spanning three centuries of royal history, with two pieces from Camilla's personal collection among the displays.

The Queen noted that lending her fans had left "a few little spaces" at Clarence House, joking that she looked "forward to getting them back again."

During the unveiling of a plaque in the orangery, Camilla paid tribute to museum founder Helene Alexander, describing it as "always a treat to come back and see Helene again."

The Queen, who has served as patron since 2008, last visited the museum in 2015.

She also revealed during conversations about endangered crafts that "my husband has a lot of sporrans."

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