The marriage of the future George V and Queen Mary took place in the lofty, light-filled Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace om 6 July 1893. This was the site of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s wedding over fifty years earlier. The bride wore a wedding dress of ivory silk satin the dress features emblems of the rose, shamrock and thistle. Both bodice and skirt were trimmed with Honiton lace and orange blossom, a traditional symbol of fertility and purity. There were 10 bridesmaids – all granddaughters and a great granddaughter of the Queen.

Tuxen takes advantage of the strong north light to bring life to the scene. The focus is the kneeling bride and groom, but the central open space allows the eye to circulate and the seated figures of the Bride’s mother, Mary, Duchess of Teck (seated right) and the figure of Princess Victoria of Hesse seen form behind, left are especially skillfully depicted, adding depth to the scene. The future Tsar Nicholas II stands to the far left. The Duchess of Teck, wrote that she liked the picture, and that she herself was quite recognisable, although not flattered.

The Danish artist Laurits Tuxen painted the most memorable ceremonial paintings of royal occasions at the turn of the century. These provide records of important occasions that refer to tradition but are infused with modernity.

Signed and dated: L Tuxen 1894.