Contents
- 1 Celebrating the Windrush Generation: A Momentous Occasion at Buckingham Palace
- 2 King Charles Pays Tribute with Portrait Collection
- 3 Distinguished Guests and Notable Attendees
- 4 Portraits Commemorating a Special Generation
- 5 Triumphs Amidst Adversity
- 6 Breaking Barriers and Embracing Opportunities
- 7 Exhibiting the Portraits of a Generation
- 8 Acknowledging and Celebrating the Windrush Generation
- 9 Honoring a Historic Arrival
Celebrating the Windrush Generation: A Momentous Occasion at Buckingham Palace
King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted a reception today at Buckingham Palace to commemorate the 75th anniversary of HMT Empire Windrush. The event not only welcomed members of the Windrush generation but also honored their descendants.
King Charles Pays Tribute with Portrait Collection
At Buckingham Palace, King Charles expressed his admiration for the Caribbean migrants who arrived in Britain as part of the iconic Windrush generation. In a heartfelt gesture, he unveiled a collection of ten portraits, all created by black artists, as a tribute to their significant contributions to the nation’s history.
The reception, attended by the King, Queen Camilla, the portrait subjects (most of whom are in their nineties), their families, and the talented artists who immortalized them, was a remarkable gathering.
Distinguished Guests and Notable Attendees
The event saw the presence of several prominent black Britons, including Baroness Amos, Baroness Lawrence, Sir Trevor McDonald, actor Colin Salmon, and athletes Colin Jackson and Tessa Sanderson. Additionally, the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, graced the occasion with her presence.
Portraits Commemorating a Special Generation
While the King and Queen toured the portrait exhibition, King Charles had the opportunity to engage with Alford Gardner, one of the sitters who arrived on the HMT Empire Windrush in 1948. At 97 years old, Gardner was deeply moved by the experience and expressed that the portraits would serve as a cherished record of an extraordinary generation.
For Gardner, stepping off the Windrush felt like it happened just yesterday. Reflecting on the passage of 75 years, he exclaimed, “It can’t be!” Standing beside his own portrait in Buckingham Palace, Gardner, who spent his working years in the engineering industry in Leeds, marveled at the journey that brought him to this moment. As a young man, he had little interest in English history, but now he finds himself a part of it, having met the King and Queen.
Triumphs Amidst Adversity
Laceta Reid, 92, another portrait subject, arrived in Britain from Jamaica in 1957 and spent his working life in factories in Newport, Wales. Learning about the portrait project from a friend, Reid was captivated by the idea. Soon after, he found himself meeting with the artist to discuss his portrait. Serge Attukwei Clottey’s artwork portrays Reid merging with the background, symbolizing his deep connection to his adopted home, Britain. Overwhelmed by the sight of his portrait in the palace, Reid expressed his amazement, proclaiming it to be brilliant.
Recalling his early days in Britain, Reid acknowledged the challenges he faced. He had to stand up to the “teddy boys” and endure a tough environment. However, his determination and resilience prevailed, enabling him to build a life in a very different Britain.
Breaking Barriers and Embracing Opportunities
Linda Haye, 90, arrived from Jamaica in 1958 and embarked on a career in the educational system. She also served as a magistrate for two decades. Haye emphasized that she seized the opportunities presented to her and refused to let racism hinder her progress. She remarked, “I had a great opportunity, and I grasped it. I never allowed racism to imprison me. Neither have I allowed my ethnicity to stop me from making a contribution and achieving.”
Exhibiting the Portraits of a Generation
The portrait collection will be showcased at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh from June 22 to October 26. Subsequently, it will be on display at the Queen’s Gallery in Buckingham Palace from November 10 until April 2024. These exhibitions provide an opportunity for visitors to appreciate the profound impact of the Windrush generation and their descendants on British society.
Acknowledging and Celebrating the Windrush Generation
In anticipation of a BBC documentary about the portrait project, King Charles expressed his belief in the paramount importance of recognizing and celebrating the indelible difference made by the Windrush arrivals and subsequent generations. The documentary, titled “Windrush: Portraits Of A Generation,” will delve into the stories of those who arrived in Britain and established their lives in the country. The King stated, “It is crucially important that we should truly see and hear these pioneers who stepped off the Empire Windrush… to recognize and celebrate the immeasurable difference that they, their children, and their grandchildren have made to this country.”
Honoring a Historic Arrival
On June 22, 1948, the first wave of hundreds of workers from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and other countries arrived in the UK. Their arrival aboard the Empire Windrush marked a significant milestone in the history of immigration to Britain. The documentary will provide a platform for the Windrush generation to share their stories and shed light on their remarkable journeys and contributions to the country they now call home.