The Royal Family at Buckingham Palace, 1913

Sittersback to top

• Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (King Edward VIII) (1894-1972), Reigned 1936. Sitter associated with 345 portraits.
• King George V (1865-1936), Reigned 1910-36. Sitter associated with 317 portraits.
• Queen Mary (1867-1953), Queen consort of King George V. Sitter associated with 267 portraits.
• Princess Mary, Countess of Harewood (1897-1965), Princess Royal; daughter of George V. Sitter associated with 217 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Sir John Lavery (1856-1941), Painter. Artist associated with 16 portraits, Sitter in 14 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This imposing group which shows King George V and Queen Mary with their two eldest children was commissioned by the publisher W.H. Spottiswoode and presented by him to the National Portrait Gallery in 1913. Both the king and the Prince of Wales, the future Edward VIII, are wearing naval uniform and the setting is the magnificent White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace. The portrait was the centre of attention at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition were it was exhibited in 1913. The critics noted its 'romantic impressionism' and hailed it as 'a veritable triumph over the formalism to which in such pictures we are accustomed'.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Audio Guide
• Cullen, Fintan, The Irish Face: Redefining the Irish Portrait, 2004, p. 25
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 713
• Simon, Jacob, The Art of the Picture Frame: Artists, Patrons and the Framing of Portraits in Britain, 1997 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 8 November 1996 - 9 February 1997), p. 79
• Williamson, David, The National Portrait Gallery: History of the Kings and Queens of England, 1998, p. 161

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Crowns and tiaras
• Family and children tour
• Family portraits
• Group portraits
• Known interiors
• On display at the Gallery