Investitures return: Prince Charles stands in for the Queen to host first ceremony in 15 months at St James’s Palace – but there was no touching and awards were presented on cushions
- Charles hosted the first major investiture ceremony since the pandemic began
- The occasion took place at St James’s Palace rather than Buckingham Palace
- Significant changes were brought in to keep the event Covid secure
The Prince of Wales has hosted the first major investiture ceremony since the pandemic began at St James’s Palace.
Scaled back due to Covid, Prince Charles, 72, presented honours to 32 recipients – including CEO of the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, Mrs Allison Ogden-Newton – rather than the 100 guests it would’ve been in pre-pandemic times.
Other significant changes brought in to keep the event Covid secure included the insignia being collected by the recipients from a cushion rather than being pinned on by the prince.
Those being honoured with knighthoods and MBEs also had to wear masks as they move around the Palace, but can remove their face coverings in the Throne Room where the actual ceremony is taking place.
Buckingham Palace – the Queen’s official London residence – is normally the venue for many of the ceremonies – but the event took place at St James’s Palace because of on-going work to update the services at the royal residence.
The Prince of Wales has hosted the first major investiture ceremony since the pandemic began at St James’s Palace (pictured)
Scaled back due to Covid, Prince Charles, 72, presented honours to 32 recipients – including CEO of the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, Mrs Allison Ogden-Newton (pictured) – rather than the 100 guests it would’ve been in pre-pandemic times
Recipients were only permitted to bring one guest, but the family member, partner or friend also had the chance to meet heir-to-the-throne Charles.
During traditional investitures, each recipient would have approached the prince or hosting royal on their own, and up to three guests would have watched, seated at a distance with scores of other spectators.
But during the pandemic, those being honoured entered the Throne Room one at time, joined by their guest who was also greeted by the prince.
There was no audience present but the investiture is thought to have been shown on large screens to those waiting their turn in the adjacent Queen Anne room – another of the State Rooms.
Those attending are required to bring proof of a negative lateral flow Covid test to ensure entry and be subject to a temperature check on arrival.
Other significant changes brought in to keep the event Covid secure included the insignia being collected by the recipients from a cushion rather than being pinned on by the prince. Pictured, Mrs Allison Ogden-Newton from London is made an OBE
Those being honoured with knighthoods and MBEs also had to wear masks as they move around the Palace, but can remove their face coverings in the Throne Room where the actual ceremony is taking place. Pictured, Mrs Susan Williams from Hook Norton is made an OBE
There will also be no hanging around and mingling afterwards. Those attending will depart after collecting their honour, and seating will be socially distanced.
There will also be reduced numbers of ceremonial and support staff present, and family portrait and media facilities remain, but in more limited numbers.
Investitures are usually a key part of the royal calendar, but there have been no major ones for 15 months, since before the start of England’s first national lockdown.
Today’s ceremony took place despite the delay to the June 21 easing of restrictions following concerns over the rapidly spreading Delta variant first identified in India.
Art director Peter Saville with his CBE medal, pictured left, and Kathleen Mohan with her OBE medal, pictured right
Major General Paul Nanson pictured after being made a Companion of the Order of the Bath
Allison Ogden-Newton (pictured) with her OBE medal, following an investiture ceremony at St James’s Palace
‘The arrangements have been made in full consultation with Public Health England and Government to ensure they are Covid compliant, in line with current guidelines,’ a Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said.
In March 2020, the Queen was pictured wearing gloves for the first time at a palace investiture, when the total number of people diagnosed with Covid-19 in the UK was 51.
It was before the UK was in the grip of coronavirus, and the head of the World Health Organisation was advising people over the age of 60 to avoid crowded areas.
Source: Read Full Article