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The State Drawing Room
In the days when Archbishops of Canterbury employed household servants, the State Drawing Room was used for daily living. Today it is used as a venue in which to entertain visiting guests, such as religious and political leaders and members of the Royal family.
State Drawing Room
Much of this room was destroyed in 1944 during a Second World War air raid. It was austerely rebuilt in the 1950s although it wasn't until 1998 that Eileen Carey, wife of incumbent Archbishop George Carey, reupholstered the room and restored the moulded plaster work on the ceiling in accordance with Edward Blore's original 1828 design.
The two crystal chandeliers were a gift from Waterford Glass.
The windows look out over the Lambeth Palace garden and a fireplace is situated in the opposing wall. To the left of the fireplace is a portrait of Charles I in Garter robes, with crown and orb. This painting is from the school of Van Dyck, and was possibly given to Archbishop Laud by the King. To the right of the fireplace is a portrait that is thought to depict Charles I's elder brother, Henry Prince of Wales who died 1612 at age of 18.
At the eastern end of the room is a late 17th century painting of Canterbury Cathedral. The painting is of great historic and architectural importance as it shows the missing north west tower of the Cathedral and the condition of the Corona at that time.