Within a packed Westminster Abbey, King George VI is seated in profile on the Coronation Chair holding two sceptres. Far left the Archbishop of Canterbury blesses him. Queen Elizabeth is seated to his right and behind stand Queen Mary, Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret and the Princess Royal.

The event took place on the 12th May, 1937 the date set for the coronation of Edward VIII and in a break with tradition, the Queen Mother, Queen Mary, attended to show her support for her son. The artist was granted a helpful position close to the coronation theatre. Further sittings are recorded by Queen Elizabeth in November 1937 and by The King in January and February 1938. The painting was presented to their Majesties by Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Union of South Africa and is on long-term loan to the Palace of Westminster.

Salisbury was commissioned to paint numerous important national events and royal ceremonies, including the Passing of the Unknown Warrior, 1920 (RCIN 404458), the Marriage of Princess Mary, 1922 (RCIN 404482) and the Heart of the Empire, 1935 (RCIN 404703). His skill often lies in the orchestration of figures against an impressive architectural background. In his obituary of 1 September 1962, the Times noted: 'He was a clever portraitist; not only in capturing a likeness but in his decorative disposition of figures…He had a decorative ability suited to the tasks he undertook and his huge compositions of state ceremony... were grouped with unfailing efficacy.'

The artist Leonard Campell Taylor (1874-1969) also depicted the scene (RCIN 405255).