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.