Queen Camilla was formally robed today (Tuesday, 15 July) in the livery of the Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers in recognition of her longstanding support for literacy and literature. The ceremony took place at the Stationers’ Hall in the City of London.
The Queen was robed by the Master of the Stationers’ Company, Doug Wills, during a traditional ceremony attended by senior civic and military figures. Among those present were the Lord Mayor of London, Alderman Alastair King DL; Sheriff Alderman Greg Jones KC; Alderman Vincent Keaveny CBE; First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins KCB OBE RM; Lord Sedwill GCMG; Lord Boateng CVO PC DL; City Remembrancer Paul Wright; and Geordie Greig, editor-in-chief of The Independent.
Her Majesty’s sponsors for the ceremony were the Company’s first two female Masters, Helen Esmonde and Moira Sleight.
Following the clothing ceremony, the Queen was given a tour of Stationers’ Hall, where she was introduced to members of the Company and learned about the charitable initiatives of the Stationers’ Foundation and the Stationers’ Hall Charity. These include support for educational programmes, apprenticeships, and welfare initiatives across the UK.
During her tour, Queen Camilla was shown the Company’s copyright registers, including the 1623 entry for the publication rights to William Shakespeare’s plays, now known as The First Folio.
