Coronation dress jewel in Jubilee Exhibition

A UNIQUE opportunity exists until the end of July to view a specially curated exhibition celebrating the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

In addition to rarely seen photographs, the exhibition features a range of memorabilia, including a collection of Orders of Service that feature the Order of Service from the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, as well as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Order of Service from St Paul’s Cathedral earlier this month. It also features a specially commissioned photo montage charting the life of the Queen and the links between the Royal Family and the Cathedral.

The MC for the occasion was the Dean of Derry, Rt Rev Dr William Morton, who performed the official welcome, paid tribute to Cathedral Guide Ian Bartlett who curated the exhibition, before inviting the Queen’s Lord Lieutenant for the Borough of Londonderry, Dr Donal Keegan to officially open the exhibition.

In his address Dr Keegan complemented the Dean on the various events that had been held in the Cathedral since February this year, and particularly mentioned the religious services (including that held on Sunday at which the exhibition was dedicated). He also commended the Choirmaster, Ian Mills, and choirs on the quality of the music.

“Not all of you will know that the Jubilee Beacon which was illuminated at the base of the Cathedral spire was one of the 2012 National Beacons commissioned commemorate the Diamond Jubilee and at the present time a book is being prepared for presentation to Her Majesty the Queen which lists all of the official sites of Jubilee Beacons and you can be sure St Columb’s Cathedral will certainly figure in that record,” Dr Keegan said.

Turning to the exhibition, Dr Keegan paid tribute to the work of Ian Bartlett, Museum Guide, who collated the exhibits and commissioned 20 picture boards to accompany the myriad of exhibits in the display cabinets.

Dr Keegan finished by thanking those involved in the exhibition, including the City Council and the Development Department, W Coulter and the ABOD Museum Committee, William McCauley, Robert Ferris, David Bigger, L Dillon, Gardiner Mitchell, Cathy Arthur and Fountain Primary School, Elizabeth Fielding, Impact Printing, William Jackson, and not least, Lady Moyra Campbell.

“The exhibition has recorded the links with Her majesty the Queen and includes the pen she used in 1947 when she signed the visitors’ book, which is also on display,” he said, adding that the exhibition had also been enhanced with the donation of the Maid of Honour Coronation Dress by Norman Hartnell, owned and work in 1953 by lady Moyra Hamilton, who was one of six Maids of Honour to the Queen on Coronation Day in June 1953.

“The Cathedral has been a stopping point for members of the Royal family over the last Century and before that. and and I want to thank everyone involved in the production of the exhibition and commend the exhibition to you,” he told the invited guests.

To learn more about Lady Moyra’s Coronation Dress and hear Lady Moyra talk about her memories of Coronation Day log on to the Londonderry Sentinel’s website.

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