Thrones have existed in almost every human civilisation and while, on the one hand, they are rarefied objects with a very specific function, they also come in every form and shape, depending on the culture to which they belong. It is the privilege of sitting down, associated with physical comfort while others have to stand, which led tribes and nations to create a prime seat for their leaders.
In terms of their design, thrones are almost by definition anachronistic: they are either cutting-edge, as they seek to herald a new reign and age, or conservative, emphasising continuity.
And because they usually follow similar parameters — armrests, a high back, and rich ornamentation — thrones lend themselves particularly well to cross-cultural comparisons, which can go far beyond differences in style, materials employed, and the rituals associated with them.
Following the event, the throne was brought to Windsor Castle and the chair of estate to Buckingham Palace, where it remains today with a matching pair made for the Duke of Edinburgh. The design of such Tudor and Stuart thrones — of which the largest group, with no less than five different examples, survives at Knole in Kent — derives from the curule x-framed chairs used by Roman consuls and emperors.
Typically, English copies were entirely covered in crimson or purple silk velvet imported from Italy — the abundance of such precious textiles sought to convey exceptional wealth and therefore power, while the choice of colours once again hinted at imperial Rome. Stylistically, the chair of estate, with its straight, upholstered armrests and elaborately carved front stretcher is closer to English examples of the s and early s, while the cross stretcher of the throne is reminiscent of grand armchairs made around , when Louis Quatorze style somewhat corrupted the courts of William III and Queen Anne.
Throne chair used at the coronation of Queen Anne , Thomas Roberts. Courtesy Hatfield House. The coronation in was, of course, the most solemn of occasions, imbued with ancient traditions with only a few elements, such as the yellow-green carpet and the presence of large television cameras, giving away that it was the s , but by no means was it to be unnecessarily ostentatious given the climate of post-war austerity.
The right balance had to be struck. Three 20th-century coronation thrones preceded that of the Queen: while the pair made for Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in presents a typically eclectic Edwardian mix of gothic and baroque forms and ornament, George V and George VI went for chairs in the traditional Tudor and Stuart style.
The House of Windsor is the only sovereign family in Europe that continues the tradition of coronations for which the Royal Household commissions new thrones, while other dynasties opt for lower-key investitures or proclamations.
Once lunch is over, it is often time for The Queen to go out and about. With so many invitations, it would be impossible for Her Majesty to attend them all, so she hand picks events to ensure her limited time is used effectively.
The Queen manages to attend hundreds of royal engagements each year — though she is slowing down a little, ranging from visits to schools, military units, newly opened hospitals, and charity headquarters.
She really does lead a varied life. When travelling outside of London, The Queen will use the royal helicopter, or sometimes or RAF aircraft for the ease and speed it brings. This enables her to meet more people, open more events and buildings, and unveil plaques.
If a visit is to be an entire day, Elizabeth will use the royal train, which functions as a portable palace — albeit much less roomy and grand. The Queen and Duke then usually travel home overnight on the train. Long-haul travel has been all but ruled out for the Monarch now thanks to her age, with Prince Charles taking over any work that requires lengthy travel.
Throughout her reign, The Queen has remained strongly attached to the Norfolk estate, just as her father, grandfather and great-grandfather were. Her Majesty shares part of this role with The Duke of Edinburgh, where they are both deeply involved in the estate life, and with the tenant farmers and employees who live and work at their rural homes. For any children who attended school at Eton, they often remark they visited Her Majesty at Windsor Castle quite often during their schooling, as it is just across the river from the castle.
Afternoon tea is usually taken at 4pm, and the kitchens send up Earl Grey tea, scones, and a few varieties of sandwich. These include smoked salmon, cucumber, ham and mustard or egg mayonnaise. This gives a much needed break from a busy schedule, but it is not long before she is working again. The Queen also finds time amongst a packed day to look after her canine friends.
Through the years, the Royal Family have chosen dogs as their favoured pets, and as an animal lover since childhood, The Queen as of owns just two. Her Majesty likes to travel with the corgis as much as possible, looking after them herself, despite sometimes a busy schedule. But how do you avoid a protocol slip-up? David Johnston raised eyebrows on Wednesday as he was seen to be lightly touching Her Majesty's elbow as she descended some steps, at an event in London.
Mr Johnston said he was simply concerned about the Queen's safety and made the judgement that a breach of protocol was appropriate "to be sure that there was no stumble". To avoid any future mishaps, however, here is a reminder of the traditional dos and don'ts. These rules aren't steadfast and those in breach need not fear exile.
The official website for the British Monarchy states "there are no obligatory codes of behaviour when meeting the Queen or a member of the Royal Family". It hastens to add: "Many people wish to observe the traditional forms. The Royal Family's dress code uncovered. This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
Canada's Governor General lightly touched the Queen on the elbow as she descended a flight of steps. The Royal Family's dress code uncovered Why are there rules for meeting the Queen? Image source, PA. Prime minister Theresa May performs a curtsey as she greets the Queen. Curtsey or bow the head only - although you can also shake hands or do a combination of the two as demonstrated by Theresa May above.
0コメント