Coronation of King Charles III

The three-sided anointing screen that shielded his Majesty as he was anointed with holy oil at his Coronation was gifted to King Charles III by the City Corporation and participating Livery Companies. The Woolmen’s Company was honoured to be among the Livery Companies that contributed.

The central design takes the form of a tree which includes 56 leaves representing the 56 member countries of the Commonwealth. The King’s cypher is positioned at the base of the tree, representing the Sovereign as servant of their people. The design has been selected personally by The King and is inspired by the stained-glass Sanctuary Window in the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace, which was gifted by the Livery Companies to mark the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 2002.

The screen was designed and produced for use at the most sacred moment of the Coronation.  It combines traditional and contemporary sustainable embroidery practices managed by the Royal School of Needlework and is made of wool from Australia and New Zealand, woven and finished in the UK.

The Livery aspects of this project have been managed by the Weavers’ Company, who were approached by Buckingham Palace.

James Gaselee from The Weavers’ Company said: “The Livery Movement is honoured to be able to provide the screens which will be visible to millions around the world at a key moment in the Coronation ceremony. Livery Companies have a long association with and support for the Crown, and this project is a collaborative effort involving many of the liveries and talented craftspeople. Another important aspect for The Weavers’ Company is that the screen helps to demonstrate that the UK Textile Manufacturing Industry is alive, well and thriving.”