On 12th July 1966, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother received the Honorary Freedom of the Musicians' Company at a Court Meeting at Fishmongers' Hall. The Master was Mr G. Derek Lockett, who presented her with a specially bound copy of the Short History of The Worshipful Company of Musicians. A Black & White photograph was taken of this event and is shown below.
After the Court Meeting, Her Majesty dined with the Company. Music was played by the Kings Lynn Festival Ensemble, which included among its players Sir John Barbirolli, Evelyn Rothwell (Lady Barbirolli) and Lady Ruth Fermoy. Earlier in the evening Sir John had also received the Honorary Freedom of the Company.
Shown right is another photograph from the ceremony with the Clerk, Brigadier H.A.F.Crewdson, assisting Her Majesty in signing the Honorary Freedom Declaration Book (Click Here to see that Book).
Unfortunately, there was a small problem with the pen, causing a smudge to the usually imaculate signature and ink stains on the Royal fingers! A letter (shown below left) sent straight afterwards from Clarence House indicated that all was forgiven.
On 6th September, a letter of thanks was also received from Clarence House and this is presented as the lower of the two letters to the left.
It discusses a number of photographs that had been received, one of which was sent back to the Company with the Queen Mother's signature and is shown to the right (the frame, card and signature are original, but the photograph has been replicated following sun damage).
Shown left and below is the Programme from the Dinner at Fishmongers' Hall which followed Her Majesty accepting the Honorary Freedom of the Company.
Click an image to expand, click on Go to link to enlarge further
In 1974, Mr Lockett (Master 1965/66), gave the Company an oil painting by Leslie Arthur Wilcox, RI, RSMA, which had been reproduced from the 1966 photograph. That painting is shown at the very top of this page.
Leslie Wilcox (1904-1982), shown right, was a British Artist, specialising in Marine Painting and living most of his life in London. His works have been hung in Guildhall, onboard the Royal Yacht Britannia and in the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich.
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