In 2013 Hughie O’Donoghue was commissioned to design new windows in the 16th-century Lady Chapel in Westminster Abbey to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Queen's coronation.
Described by the dean, John Hall, as "one of the most stunning ecclesiastical spaces in the world", the chapel was built from 1503-1519 and was commissioned by King Henry VII. The new windows replaced the ancient stained glass windows which were shattered by a second world war bomb. Casting light on the tombs of Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots, these windows were the first to be commissioned by the abbey in over ten years.
O’Donoghue's design includes a number of symbols. For example, the Lily is not only a symbol of purity but also associated with the Virgin Mary; it also references the Fleur de Lis, the emblem of royalty. The rich blue complements the golden ceiling and the use of white points to the Lily and the
Virgin Mary.
O’Donoghue worked with a craftsman to ensure that traditional techniques were employed in the making of the windows. As a result, the windows are not only a reflection of our time but also resonate with the Chapel’s history.