Henry Singleton was a portrait painter and book-illustrator best known today for his imposing ceremonial groups, such as his ‘Marriage of the Duke of York’ of 1791 (Minneapolis Institute of Art) and ‘ Royal Academicians in Council’ of 1793 (Royal Academy). This sketch of the marriage of the Prince of Wales was perhaps intended for presentation, possibly to seek a speculative commission for a larger painting.

The marriage of Princess Caroline of Brunswick and her first cousin, the Prince of Wales, who had met three days before for the first time, took place on the evening of 8 April 1795. The Prince is depicted wearing the star and collar of the Order of the Garter and stands before the altar in the Chapel Royal in St James’s Palace, about to place the ring on the finger of his bride. Behind the Prince are the Archbishop of Canterbury, John Moore, and the Bishop of London, Beilby Porteous. On the left, George III sits under a canopy, with behind him, possibly the Dukes of Kent and Gloucester and definitely, the Duke of York. Queen Charlotte is seated on the right.

The disposition of the figures in this painting is similar to that in the marriage scene by John Graham (1754-1817), one of a pair with The Reception of Princess Caroline, both of 1795, in the Royal Collection (RCIN 409254). A further sketch of the ceremony, by William Hamilton, is also in the Royal Collection (RCIN 404486); here the view is reversed, offering a view of the Chapel and guests in the background.

Signed and dated: H. Singleton 1795.'