Mansion House dinner with the King and Queen – Wed 18 Oct 23

At the invitation of the City of London Corporation, on 18 October, the Master was privileged to represent the Worshipful Company of Nurses at a dinner in the Mansion House in the gracious presence of Their Majesties The King and Queen.

The dinner marked the contribution of the civic institutions of the City of London to the Coronation of Their Majesties The King and Queen.  We, as a Company, had contributed to the Anointing screen which was used in the most sacred part of the ceremony.  It was on display in the Salon and was indeed stunning.

In responding to the speech by the Lord Mayor, Nicholas Lyons, the King called for a show of solidarity using the symbolic ‘deep wells’ of civility, tolerance, the space to think and speak freely and a duty of care for those in sickness and misfortune.  Coincidentally this last point was remembered earlier in the afternoon at the annual church service.

It was a splendid occasion and as the dress code was white tie, a few of the ladies present were wearing tiaras.  Although I was seated away from top table The King and Queen paused at our table on the way out to thank one of the guests for his service that evening.

It was a memorable event.

Liz Bardolph, Master