Thomas Woodcock, CVO, DL, Garter King of Arms, photographed by Hugo Rittson Thomas.
This is a photograph exhibited earlier this year at Eleven Fine Art. The Queen’s People was an exhibition of some fifty portraits of holders of ceremonial office in their uniforms, standing in a corner of mirrors. HM The Queen, intriguingly, is wearing a plain red dress while her people wear elaborate uniform. The Duchess of Cornwall and Prince William are photographed, otherwise it celebrates the boatman, the coachman, the judge, the bishop, the bagpiper, the archer and then some more, that attend Her Majesty.
Rittson Thomas claims inspiration from Velázquez but he could have, should have, included Goya whose fine depiction of dress is now on show at the National Gallery. They are interesting for their depiction of the person and the office. As the exhibition closed last month I will show you the portrait of HM The Queen.
This shows her without any regalia. A pearl necklace, a brooch and a wristwatch; the sort of things any middle class woman might wear. It contrasts starkly with the other pictures and Rittson Thomas’s message is that office holders wear their ceremonial uniform but without that are ordinary people. The Queen is the embodiment of the monarchy – without crown or sceptre.
If you are unfamiliar with The College of Arms, here is something from their website that may interest you.
“Heralds in ordinary receive yearly salaries from the Crown – Garter King of Arms £49.07, the two provincial Kings of Arms £20.25, the six heralds £17.80, and the four pursuivants £13.95. These salaries were fixed at higher levels by James I but reduced by William IV in the 1830s. The work of the heralds is otherwise unassisted from public funds. However, in addition to their official duties, they have for many centuries had private practices in heraldry and genealogy, for which they are allowed to charge professional fees.”
Hardly the living wage ……but a chance to wear tights and a gorgeous uniform. My great-uncle, Sir George Bellew, was Garter at the coronation. He was no horseman. When a detachment of the Household Cavalry came to escort him on a ceremonial occasion they were running late saying they would have to make up time. His response: “Garter does not trot.”