The Marquetry Gloriana Box

Royal Connections

We are proud to announce that Wheathills was chosen to create a memory box to celebrate the illustrious career and notable achievements of British businessman and Conservative peer, Lord Jeffrey Sterling of Plaistow.

Lord Sterling GCVO, CBE, was instrumental to the success of Queen Elizabeth’s diamond jubilee celebrations. He initiated the project to build the royal vessel Gloriana – the ninety-four feet long rowing barge with a design inspired by Canaletto’s London paintings of C18th barges.

Gloriana, powered by eighteen oarsmen and two electric inboard engines, was the lead vessel, heading 1,000 boats in the Thames diamond jubilee pageant.

It is less well known that the peer, who also played a seminal role in the planning of Queen Elizabeth’s silver and gold jubilee celebrations, is the chairman and co-founder of Motability, the scheme which has provided more than three million cars for the disabled.

Lord Sterling’s bespoke memory box features intricate marquetry designs which symbolise royal appreciation, his many achievements and strong family values.