The Queen has been given the fan from her official coronation portrait to commemorate her historic crowning.
Camilla opened The Fan Museum’s new Monarchy exhibition in Greenwich, south-east London, on Thursday as part of her role as its patron.
She revealed how she could not wait to see the specially-made creation, describing it as “so beautiful” and saying she would use it on “special occasions”.
It features the Queen’s favourite flowers, butterflies, and her birthday star constellation, as well as a dragon fly which represents George and the Dragon.
The visit took place the day after the third anniversary of the King and Queen’s coronation which saw the monarch and his consort crowned and anointed in a deeply religious ceremony in Westminster Abbey on May 6 2023.
Camilla had also given the museum some fans from her own collection, which she remarked left “a few little spaces” back at Clarence House.
The Queen joked that she looked “forward to getting them back again”.
The new fan was shown to the Queen by artist Paul Benney, whose official full length coronation portrait of Camilla was unveiled last year and features her holding a closed fan.
The painted fan was not part of the official clothing for the coronation and took around three years to make, meaning this was first time Camilla had seen the creation.
She told Mr Benney: “It is so beautiful. I shall use it on very special occasions. I am deeply honoured to have it.
“I think Paul’s work is beautiful, just like the portrait.”
Upon presenting the fan, Mr Benney described its features, saying: “These stars up in the sky here are your birth date constellations.”
The Queen replied: “Goodness me I would never have guessed that. I am very glad you are here to explain it to me.”
The piece was made by Frederick Gay, France’s master fan maker and commissioned by Peter Dove, former master of The Worshipful Company of Fan Makers, which works to promote the work of traditional and modern fan making.
During the visit, Camilla also met with the founder of the museum Helene Alexander, as well as staff and trustees of the museum.
Unveiling a plaque for the museum in the orangery, the Queen said: “It is always a treat to come back and see Helene again, who was the reason I came here in the first place so I am delighted to have seen this exhibition and to have contributed, a couple… three of my fans here, a few little spaces left at Clarence House, I shall look forward to getting them back again.
“I hope everybody enjoys it as much as I have today.”
Camilla also revealed “my husband has a lot of sporrans” when she spoke to Tal Danai, who is producing a documentary on endangered crafts.
The King often wears a sporran, a pouch worn at the front of a kilt, when in traditional dress in Scotland.
The Fan Museum had two fans on display from Camilla’s personal collection and is more widely dedicated to the history and culture of hand fans.
The exhibition features around 80 fans, including some from the 18th century and others which celebrate royalty or commemorate significant royal events.
Camilla last visited the museum in 2015 and has been patron of the museum since 2008.
The Duchess of Gloucester, Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Fan Makers, was also at the event.
