His Majesty King Charles III visits Parliament to unveil tributes to the late Queen Elizabeth II

The King unveiled a gift from parliamentarians to the late Queen, which marked the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee. The gift - a pair of unique bronze sculptures featuring the heraldic beasts of the United Kingdom – also serve as illuminated beacons, symbolising the guiding light her late Majesty had been to the country, and to Parliament, throughout her reign.

The King also unveiled a plaque on the floor of the centuries-old Westminster Hall, which marked the site of the Lying-in-State of the late Queen. The installation of the plaque continues a royal tradition that stretches back to King Edward VII in 1910, with today’s unveiling the first time that a reigning monarch has unveiled the tribute to their predecessor.

During the visit The King met with parliamentarians including the Speakers of both Houses, as well as the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition. The King also spoke to parliamentary staff who had helped to deliver the historic Lying-in-State ceremony, where over 200,000 members of the public paid their respects to the late Queen earlier this year.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, said: “Seeing King Charles unveil our traditional gift to his mother, Her late Majesty, was particularly poignant. We wanted to present something long-lasting, beautiful and emblematic of the esteem with which we held our Queen to mark her Platinum Jubilee – and I believe these ornate lamps do just that.

“As they shine upon our workplace, we remember with thanks the enduring and guiding light she has been to our nation - and indeed, the whole world - for the past 70 years, and the debt of gratitude we owe.”

Lord McFall of Alcluith, the Lord Speaker, said: “It was an honour to welcome The King to Parliament today, especially for such an important occasion – to give  thanks to his mother, Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth. For 70 years the country had been privileged to witness her commitment to constitutional monarchy, and was rightfully admired for her loyalty and faithfulness to duty. These sculptures will serve as beacons to future generations, reminding them of the magnificence of her reign and the esteem in which the Queen was held.”

Platinum Jubilee gift

Commemorating a unique moment in the nation’s history, the Platinum Jubilee gift is situated between two previous gifts to Her Majesty - the Diamond Jubilee window in Westminster Hall and the Silver Jubilee fountain in New Palace Yard.

All four countries of the United Kingdom are represented in the work, including the Lion of England, the Unicorn of Scotland, the Dragon of Wales and the Irish Elk of Northern Ireland. Sited in a busy area of the Parliamentary Estate, the sculptures also offer a practical purpose, illuminating both the throughfare as well as the medieval Westminster Hall.  The lanterns themselves, switched on for the first time today by The King, reflect the shape of St Edward’s Crown.

The Speaker and Lord Speaker asked Rt Hon Michael Ellis KC MP, who organised the late Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Gift in 2012, to lead on this year’s Jubilee project, which as in 2012 has been entirely funded by personal donations from members of both Houses and from across the political spectrum - with no expense to the taxpayer. Members of the public will be able to view the gift from the free-to-access areas of the Palace of Westminster.

Cambridge-based sculptor Tim Crawley was chosen to design the sculptures, working alongside Hampshire fine art foundry Morris Singer. Taking inspiration from the architecture and heraldic art found within the Palace of Westminster, Crawley studied the stone carvings and masonry in the immediate area, creating pieces that are sympathetic to their environment.

Tim Crawley said: “I was delighted to work on this prestigious commission – which both celebrates such an important national event and adds something new to this iconic building. Looking back now that it is complete, I recognise the huge privilege of being trusted with the work and have really enjoyed working closely with the Speakers of both Houses and Michael Ellis MP to make it a success.

“The design challenge for me was to create a monument of sufficient scale to celebrate the enduring service of our late Queen, whilst also respecting the location. By deciding to position the sculptures where we did, we were able to create a new and significant architectural space within the Palace. Stylistically, I let myself be guided by Pugin, for whom the Palace was his masterwork, and which provided me with copious inspiration for my designs on my visits."

John Berelowitz, Managing Director of the Morris Singer Foundry, said: "It has been a great privilege for our British foundry and its skilled technicians to work with Tim Crawley. The gift that has been designed is spectacular, and a fitting tribute to the late Queen. Throughout the project, our team have ensured that the moulding, casting and finishing required for this piece was able to progress with ease. With the gift now unveiled by His Majesty The King, we are delighted that the foundry will be forever associated with this historic work – situated in the magnificent Palace of Westminster”

Horsham-based heritage lighting specialists William Sugg & Co. Ltd manufactured the gilded crowns that sit on top of the bronze columns. Lucy Bubb, Managing Director said: “We were delighted to be asked to be involved in this prestigious commission to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee.  They are a true celebration of the late Queen’s reign, and we feel privileged to have been involved in such a project.”

Before the gift was installed, light-touch restorative works were carried out to the Silver Jubilee fountain – restoring the stone and conserving the metalwork. The immediate area around the Platinum Jubilee gift has also been repaved and levelled, with a new bronze inscription that commemorates the historic occasion.

Michael Ellis KC MP said: “This year’s Platinum Jubilee was unique in the long history of these islands and our magnificent late Queen was honoured across the world for her service and duty. It is a longstanding tradition that both Houses of Parliament present the Sovereign with a Gift marking a Jubilee and these bronze sculptures of the heraldic beasts of the United Kingdom are symbolic of Her late Majesty’s unifying effect on her people, the strength she showed throughout her reign and the elegance and style with which she undertook her duties.  The gift has been a labour of love over the past two years for the wonderful artist and the specialist artisans working on it.

“Hundreds of Members of Parliament and hundreds of Peers from across the political spectrum have voluntarily contributed to this Gift and we were able to expand the project and enhance it thanks to the generous contributions. This Gift to the late Queen from Members will be enjoyed by visitors for generations to come - and will be a fitting tribute to celebrate the extraordinary 70 years of our late Queen’s reign.”

ENDS

Images are available to download via link: https://parliament.assetbank-server.com/assetbank-parliament/images/assetbox/983cc3e8-2bb4-45a9-bfb5-9ae21bc8ad5a/assetbox.html