Queen Receives Custom Fan Three Years After Coronation

The monarch travelled to The Fan Museum in Greenwich on Thursday to inaugurate a new Monarchy exhibition. During the visit the 78-year-old received an elaborate fan that had been depicted in the official coronation portrait painted 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. The coronation ceremony took place at Westminster Abbey on May 6 2023. The fan was crafted by Frederick Gay, a master fan maker in France, over a period of approximately three years.

It was commissioned by Peter Dove when he served as master of The Worshipful Company of Fan Makers and was not part of the official coronation regalia.

The design includes the monarch's favourite flowers and butterflies as well as her birthday star constellation. A dragonfly motif symbolising George and the Dragon also appears on the piece. This was the first time the monarch had seen the completed fan, having previously viewed only its representation in the full-length portrait that was unveiled last year.

The painted fan had been specifically selected by Benney for inclusion in that portrait.

The Monarchy exhibition at the museum displays around 80 fans spanning three centuries of royal history, including two pieces from the monarch's personal collection. The monarch has served as patron of the museum since 2008 and last visited in 2015.

Upon seeing the finished fan the monarch said it was beautiful and that it would be used on very special occasions. When the artist explained the celestial elements, including the birth date constellations painted among the stars, the monarch responded with surprise and said she was glad he was there to explain it.