In this film Baroness Boothroyd discusses her official portrait as Speaker of the House of Commons by Andrew Festing, and reflects on her time in the role.
Plans for Speaker Boothroyd’s official state portrait began in 1992 when a long-list of portrait painters was identified, from which she selected three to meet informally and discuss the commission.
Following these interviews, in early 1993 Speaker Boothroyd selected Andrew Festing to paint her portrait. The painting was completed in April 1994 and hung in the Drawing Room of Speaker’s House, where it still hangs today.
Festing’s painting forms part a collection Speakers’ portraits that was begun in the early 1800s when descendants of former Speakers were asked to donate portraits. Since then, portraits of successive Speakers have been added during their tenure of office.
Find out more about the Parliamentary Art Collection at www.parliament.uk/art