A pair of Prince of Wales Investiture chairs, used during the Prince of Wales Investiture ceremony, 1969, designed by Antony Armstrong-Jones – 1st Earl of Snowdon (1930-2017), Carl Toms (1927-1999) and John Pound, in red stained ash laminate plywood and red painted elm, with large gilt Prince of Wales feathers motif impressed to backrest, bearing motto ICH DIEN (I Serve), with original red Welsh wool seat covers, bearing date and makers stamp under seat.

These chairs are in excellent vintage condition. Minor staining visible to original cloth and minor marks/ knocks to frame. The chair seat foam has recently been replaced to conform with modern fire safety standards.

The Investiture ceremony of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales took place on 1st July 1969, at Caernarfon Castle, North Wales.

Lord Snowdon had a pivotal role in the design of and arrangements for the Investiture ceremony. With a budget of only £50,000 Snowdon created an ultra modern stylised yet medieval inspired design. Lord Snowdon commented on the ceremony “I look back on it with a lot of pride, pride for Wales and I’m very proud that I was involved in it”.
Created with a television audience of several million in mind, the scheme for the ceremony was designed by Lord Snowdon, in collaboration with set designer Carl Toms (1927-1999) and John Pound from the Ministry of Works. Over 4000 chairs were manufactured by Remploy to seat all of the attending guests. The now iconic chairs were made available to purchase immediately after the event for £12. Snowdon himself purchased six of them.

Please follow the below link (to British Pathe website), to see film footage of Lord Snowdon and the Ministry of Works team supervising the set up at Caernarfon Castle, 1969.
http://www.britishpathe.com/video/extra-investiture-preparations/query/ArmstrongJones

To watch highlights of the ceremony itself please follow the below link:
http://www.britishpathe.com/video/investiture-of-the-prince-of-wales

To see Lord Snowdon’s collection of Investiture Chairs, see The World of Interiors, January 2009.

Dimensions: 78cm x 55cm x 55cm

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Shipping: Price includes shipping to South East England and London address. If you are based outside of this area please email us directly for a cost price shipping quote.

Condition Report: These chairs are in excellent vintage condition. Minor staining visible to original cloth and minor marks/ knocks to frame. The chair seat foam has recently been replaced to conform with modern fire safety standards.