A cope is a large semi-circle worn during important liturgical ceremonies. This particular garment is made of white flannel covered with organza and decorated with gold, silver and copper thread appliqué and laid work. The design consists of depictions of the 73 Anglican churches in the Diocese of London, the three Royal Peculiars and St. Paul’s Cathedral.
The mitre is a form of headgear worn by bishops or higher priests within various Christian Churches. The Silver Jubilee mitre is made of the same flannel ground as the cope and is covered with silk organza. The mitre is decorated with an appliqué and embroidered image of the façade of Westminster Abbey.
The cape and mitre (St. Paul’s collection acc. no. 5001) were first worn by the Bishop of London at the Queen’s Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1977. They were worn again at the Diamond Jubilee Thanksgiving service at St. Paul’s in 2012.
See also the Needles entries on the Queen Victoria diamond jubilee copes and the King George jubilee cope.
St Paul's Cathedral online catalogue (retrieved 2 April 2016).
GVE