King says celebrating Windrush’s arrival is crucial ahead of the portrait documentary

The king said he thought it was “extremely important” to “recognise and celebrate the immeasurable difference” Windmill arrivals and their descendants in front of a BBC documentary.

Windrush: Portraits Of A Generation is a project by the author Charleswhich commissioned 10 artists from Britain and abroad to create portraits of those who arrived in the UK from Caribbean basin more than 70 years ago.

The 75-minute program marks the 75th anniversary of HMT Empire Windrush’s arrival at the dock in England and out on National Windrush Day this month.

The King said: “I think it is vital that we really see and hear from those pioneers who left the Empire Windrush at Tilbury in June 1948 – just a few months before I was born – and those who followed them on for decades. , to recognize and celebrate the immeasurable difference they and their children and grandchildren have made to this country.”

The first wave of hundreds of workers from countries such as Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago arrived in Britain on 22 June 1948.

The Windrush Portrait Committee – a sub-committee of the Windrush Celebration Committee – which includes former children’s TV presenter Baroness Floella Benjamin and EastEnders actor Rudolph Walker – selected the sitters from across the UK.

The documentary will also focus on stories from the group – which include Sir Geoff Palmer, portrayed by Derek Forgeor; Lasetta Reid, portrayed by Serge Atukway Cloti; Jessie Stevens, portrayed by Sahara Long; and Carmen Monroe, portrayed by Sonia Boyce, who arrive in Britain and live in the country.

Delicere Bernard, painted by Honore Titus; Alford Gardner, illustrated by Chloe Cox; Linda Hay, portrayed by Shannon Bono; Edna Henry, portrayed by Amy Sherald; and Gilda Oliver, painted by Clifton Powell, are also among those seated.

Directed and produced by Suniti Samaya, the program, created in partnership with the Open University, also traces the creation of portraits and the artists’ understanding of their own unique creative approach.

The 10 portraits will become part of the Royal Collection and commemorate those who “gave so much of themselves to rebuild a nation torn apart by war”.

The portraits will also be on display at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh from 22 June to 16 October.

Windrush: Portraits Of A Pioneering Generation will then be on display at the Queen’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace in London from 10 November to 14 April.

Windrush: Portraits Of A Generation airs on BBC Two on June 22.