David Williams opened the presentation by welcoming the 70 people present in the club and introduced Ivor Zander who gave a brief history on the works of Pietro Annigoni. Ivor pointed out that Annigoni was often ranked with the most celebrated artists of all time and that his technical ability as a portrait artist was almost unmatched. Ivor then introduced Dick Foxton.

Dick expressed what an honour it was for him to be standing in The Rand Club just 24 hours before the Queen’s 81st birthday and within one week of the 54th anniversary of the Queen’s coronation on the 2nd June 1953. Dick said that it is with great pride that he was able to unveil the new Annigoni portrait of the Queen! As most of you are aware, the Annigoni oil painting of Her Majesty the Queen, which had hung in The Rand Club since 1960, was destroyed in the fire of June 2005. Dick pointed out that the original Annigoni portrait that hangs in The Fishmongers’ Hall in London was painted in 1955.

After the fire that devastated The Rand Club, Dick explained that he felt it necessary to replace the Annigoni and he endeavored to have this done as soon as possible. Through his business, Dick had managed to establish an excellent working relationship with the Queen’s principal private press secretary, Penny Russell-Smith, and he promptly set up a meeting with her and she immediately put Dick in touch with the only people who had the rights to reproduce prints of the Royal Family. These people were told about The Rand Club history and the fire and that he would like to donate a new copy of the portrait to the club. Dick drew up an agreement which was accepted and the print was shipped to South Africa. Dick then took great pleasure in unveiling the new portrait of Her Majesty The Queen which you can now see in The Milner Lounge on the first floor.

A special English lunch of Scotch Broth (The Queen does have Scottish blood in her), Roast Beef with Yorkshire Pudding and Bread and Butter Pudding was served to all 70 people present and as always at the Rand Club, the event was a resounding success.