King George VI (1895-1952), Queen Elizabeth (1900-2002), Princess Elizabeth later H.M. Queen Elizabeth II (1926 - 2022) and Princess Margaret Rose (1930-2002)
Dorothy Wilding (1893 - 1976)
Category
Photographs
Date
1937
Materials
photographic paper and leather
Measurements
280 mm (H)205 mm (W)320 mm (H)241 mm (W)
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Polesden Lacey, Surrey
NT 1246749
Summary
An official photograph of the Royal family wearing Coronation Robes.
Full description
This image was taken following the ceremony for George VI’s Coronation on the 12th May 1937. The setting is the majestic Throne Room at Buckingham Palace where Wilding recalls the scarlet drapery standing in ‘vivid contrast to the light walls adorned with gold’. Always shooting in black and white, she brilliantly captures these contrasts and the textures of royal ceremonial. The newly fashioned crowns, the King’s set with legendary historic stones, glitter before their scarlet backdrop. Wilding recalled the heaviness of the trains of purple silk velvet (worn again by King Charles III for his Coronation in 2023), which are offset by the lining of ermine and by the cream tulle of the Queen’s gown, embroidered in gold with botanical emblems of the Commonwealth, and the matching lace with gold bows worn by the princesses. This signed photograph was a gift to Margaret Greville, a close friend of both their Majesties, who had honeymooned at Polesden Lacey in 1923. Mrs Greville left her outstanding jewellery collection to the Queen upon her death.
Marks and inscriptions
DOROTHY WILDING / LONDON (printed on front)
Makers and roles
Dorothy Wilding (1893 - 1976), photographer