Exhibition highlights Commonwealth’s diversity and uniqueness
Petra Cooke writes about her visit to Buckingham Palace to view an exhibition of Commonwealth gifts to the Queen
Buckingham Palace recently opened its doors to the public to showcase an exhibition of gifts presented to the Queen by Commonwealth leaders over her reign.
The display, entitled Queen and Commonwealth: The Royal Tour, which I was lucky enough to attend before the public opening, includes dresses worn by the Queen while on tour around the Commonwealth, and gifts such as jewellery and ornaments.
What struck me the most about the exhibition was how all of the gifts incorporated the natural resources of the region and demonstrated local talent, including: a shell picture by the People of Central Andros; a painting representing Grenadian people harvesting by self taught local artist, Elinus Cato; and a patchwork quilt by the Girl Guides of Yellowknife District in the North-West Territories of Canada.
There wasn’t a huge display of gold plaques or decorative plates – the gifts represented each country’s culture and its independence and nationality.
The Queen in return also paid homage to the country. Her dresses, worn whilst on the tours, would occasionally incorporate the national colour of the nation or emblems particular to a region or country, as a way of complimenting the host country.
The exhibition, for me, highlighted how unique and inclusive the Commonwealth really is: one in which all countries are considered equal, regardless of wealth, but their distinctive cultures are celebrated and recognised by the Queen and the Secretariat for the diversity that they bring to the association.
To read more about the exhibition, click here