The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office under David Lammy has made a significant change to its visual identity, removing a historic portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and installing contemporary pan-African artworks in its place.
A Symbolic Change in Whitehall
Several months before a cabinet reshuffle would see him moved to the Ministry of Justice, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy oversaw the removal of a photograph of the late Queen from his Whitehall office in July 2025. The portrait, which had been taken by renowned photographer David Bailey, was subsequently placed into storage.
In its stead, the department installed two variations of the Pan-African flag, created by artist Larry Achiampong. These works, commissioned with support from the Arts Council, feature large yellow, green, and red designs. The flags are part of Achiampong's 2017 project, The Relic Travellers' Alliance, and are adorned with 54 black stars, each representing a country on the African continent.
The Art of Diplomacy and Recent Controversies
While ministers are permitted to alter their office decor, the artworks chosen from the Government Art Collection of 15,000 pieces are intended to serve a diplomatic purpose, helping to project British soft power in official buildings. According to reports from The Telegraph, there are now no collection photographs of Queen Elizabeth II displayed within the department.
This redecoration is not an isolated incident within the current Labour government. The project that produced the flags was originally conceived to provoke thought about the political and social climate, including 'the rise of nationalism within the global West' and tensions surrounding the 2016 Brexit referendum.
Recent changes extend beyond the Foreign Office. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer previously faced criticism for removing an 18th-century portrait of William Shakespeare from 10 Downing Street in October 2024, a decision that was later reversed following public pressure. He had also taken down portraits of Elizabeth I, Sir Walter Raleigh, William Ewart Gladstone, and a £100,000 portrait of Margaret Thatcher, which he reportedly found 'unsettling'.
Evolving Artistic Displays in Government
The landscape of government art is clearly shifting. While the 'Motion' version of Achiampong's Pan-African flag remains in the Foreign Office, the 'Community' flag has been moved, with potential locations including the Green Room in Lancaster House, a key greeting area for visiting officials.
Other notable new commissions in government spaces include Lubaina Himid's 2021 piece, Old Boat, New Weather, which addresses the legacy of colonialism and the imperial slave trade. Alongside it in the Green Room hangs a small version of Yinka Shonibare's Ship in a Bottle, a representation of Admiral Nelson's HMS Victory that is described as a celebration of London's diversity.
Meanwhile, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has introduced abstract artworks commemorating the Covid lockdowns to No 11 Downing Street, replacing traditional portraits of former prime ministers and chancellors. This followed her earlier directive to remove all pictures of men from the Treasury building after Labour's 2024 election victory.
The Foreign Office has been approached for comment regarding the removal of the Queen's portrait and the new artistic direction. These decor changes highlight a broader reassessment of the symbols and narratives presented in the heart of the UK government.
