THE artist David Hockney has been chosen to design a stained-glass window for Westminster Abbey in honour of the Queen’s reign.

The artist, who once turned down the opportunity to paint the Queen saying he was “too busy”, said that he was planning to create a “landscape full of blossom that’s a celebration every year”.

Mr Hockney, who has received the Order of Merit from the Queen — an honour that is in her personal gift — was invited by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Revd John Hall, to design one of the few remaining clear glass windows to celebrate the Queen’s 64-year reign.

Dean Hall said that Mr Hockney was an “internationally renowned contemporary British artist”, and that he was delighted that he had agreed to the commission.

Once designed, the stained-glass will be made by the Barley Studio in York.

The tall window, in the north transept of the Abbey, will be known as the Queen’s window.

Last month, the Queen became the world’s longest-reigning monarch, following the death of the king of Thailand. The 65th anniversary of her reign falls in February next year.

The cost of the window is being met by two anonymous benefactors.

Mr Hockney will be given artistic control of the window, though the project will be overseen by the Dean and Chapter and the Abbey’s Fabric Commission.