Picture
Object name
Maker
Date made
Circa 1981
Description
Princess Diana and Prince Charles completed and framed picture worked in 1981 by Dorethy Johnson.
Content description
This canvaswork embroidery was produced from a Royal School of Needlework needlepoint kit. The object was worked and donated by Dorethy Johnson, who embroidered the piece in 1981 to celebrate the marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. While this example was made two dimensional to be framed, it was possible to make this kit into a kneeler or cushion cover, where the border of the flowers of the United Kingdom would have run around the sides of the object. This can be seen in the black and white image which would have been provided with the kit.
The border of daffodils, thistles, and shamrocks is punctuated by eight Tudor roses worked in tent stitch. A band of twisted ribbon surrounds the heraldic emblems of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer. The piece is dated 29 July 1981, the date of the Royal Wedding. The forms stand out on a blue background with rows of zigzag stripes in Jacquard stitch, while the blue border is embroidered in counted satin stitch.
The symbol chosen to represent Charles on this picture is that of the Prince of Wales's feathers. This motif includes three ostrich feathers encircled by a gold coronet. While the feathers were mainly linked with Edward the Black Prince (1330–1376), son and heir of Edward III, the feathers were used by Edward III himself around the time of his marriage to Philippa of Hainault in 1328, so perhaps offer an important symbol for the union of the 20th-century prince and his bride. 'ICH DIEN' inscribed on this coat of arms translates to 'I serve' and traces back to Philippa's origins in the Low Countries. The first Prince of Wales to use this imagery was Arthur, the eldest son of Henry VII, however, this coat of arms only began to be exclusively associated with the Prince of Wales in the 17th century. Short pile stitch is used for a feather effect on this heraldry, with the rest in tent stitch.
To the right is Diana's coat of arms. A black band embellished with three scallops crosses the lozenge, symbolism derived from the Spencer family. The red areas are worked in Gobelin stitch and the white areas in brick stitch. The inscription reads 'DIEU DEFEND LE DROIT', translating to 'God defends the right'.
A similar kit was also made around the same time with different coats of arms to represent the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The border of daffodils, thistles, and shamrocks is punctuated by eight Tudor roses worked in tent stitch. A band of twisted ribbon surrounds the heraldic emblems of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer. The piece is dated 29 July 1981, the date of the Royal Wedding. The forms stand out on a blue background with rows of zigzag stripes in Jacquard stitch, while the blue border is embroidered in counted satin stitch.
The symbol chosen to represent Charles on this picture is that of the Prince of Wales's feathers. This motif includes three ostrich feathers encircled by a gold coronet. While the feathers were mainly linked with Edward the Black Prince (1330–1376), son and heir of Edward III, the feathers were used by Edward III himself around the time of his marriage to Philippa of Hainault in 1328, so perhaps offer an important symbol for the union of the 20th-century prince and his bride. 'ICH DIEN' inscribed on this coat of arms translates to 'I serve' and traces back to Philippa's origins in the Low Countries. The first Prince of Wales to use this imagery was Arthur, the eldest son of Henry VII, however, this coat of arms only began to be exclusively associated with the Prince of Wales in the 17th century. Short pile stitch is used for a feather effect on this heraldry, with the rest in tent stitch.
To the right is Diana's coat of arms. A black band embellished with three scallops crosses the lozenge, symbolism derived from the Spencer family. The red areas are worked in Gobelin stitch and the white areas in brick stitch. The inscription reads 'DIEU DEFEND LE DROIT', translating to 'God defends the right'.
A similar kit was also made around the same time with different coats of arms to represent the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Dimensions
width: 61cm
height: 53.5cm
height: 53.5cm
Materials
Stitches
Tent stitch 
Gobelin filling stitch
Jacquard stitch
Brick stitch
Counted satin stitch
Short pile stitch
Gobelin filling stitch
Jacquard stitch
Brick stitch
Counted satin stitch
Short pile stitch
Techniques
Motifs
Credit line
Gift of Dorethy Johnson.
Catalogue number
RSN.1946
© Royal School of Needlework