News
The Duchess of Cornwall supports traditional crafts at the Worshipful Company of Joiners and Ceilers
19th October 2011
The Duchess of Cornwall became a "jolly joiner" today, as she took an oath to join a traditional guild of wood joiners and carvers, supporting traditional crafts.Her Royal Highness took the oath to become an Honorary Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Joiners and Ceilers during a lunch at the Apothecaries' Hall in London.
The company, which dates back to before Queen Elizabeth I, originated as a trade guild for wood joiners and ceilers (carvers) and received its charter in 1571.
Many of its members still work within the craft, with others employed as architects and engineers, as well as in construction and financial services.
The Company promotes excellence within its traditional crafts and raises money for charity, as well as supporting the Armed Forces, and is affiliated to the Royal Navy submarine HMS Astute - of which The Duchess of Cornwall is Sponsor.
Today, The Duchess attended the Company's Court of Assistants, where she took both the Oath for the Freedom of the Company and the Oath for the Livery, before being clothed with a black Livery Gown.
In a speech she said: "As Sponsor of HMS Astute, I am aware that the Joiners Company has been affiliated to Astute from the earliest days of her construction in Barrow.
"And I was delighted to see a fine example of your craft in the beautifully made Captain's Table that you presented on her commissioning and my warmest congratulations and thanks go to its maker, Liveryman Simon Ward.
"Both my husband and myself are very keen to encourage apprentices and apprenticeships and so it is with enormous pleasure that I have learnt of the work this Worshipful Company does to promote the crafts of wood joinery and wood carving to apprentices, the bursaries you provide and the prizes that are offered.
"I very much hope that in the years ahead I can come and see for myself some of the work that is being done and provide active support."
Her Royal Highness said The Prince's Trust was keen to receive applications for grants from Apprentices who had completed their apprenticeships and were seeking to set up their own businesses.
"Now I know the members of our Company are traditionally known as the 'Jolly Joiners' and I would not want to delay any of you any further in demonstrating just how jolly you can be," she added.