The Landing of H.R.H. the Princess Alexandra at Gravesend, March 7 1863
Author: Henry Nelson O'Neil
Year: 1864
Location: National Maritime Museum, London
A small study for a large painting by the artist, now in the National Portrait Gallery, NPG5487. The study records the arrival of Princess Alexandra of Denmark at Gravesend, 7 March 1863, immediately prior to her marriage to Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales and the eldest son of Queen Victoria. This was to take place on 10 March 1863 at Windsor Castle. It marks the moment when the Princess, accompanied by her family, stepped on to British soil. This followed her disembarkation from the royal yacht 'Victoria and Albert' after a crossing of the North Sea. The yacht was escorted by a squadron of British ships including the 'Revenge', the flagship of Admiral Smart who was in command of the Channel Fleet, and the armour-plated frigates 'Warrior', 'Resistance' and 'Defence'. The principal figures are portraits taken either from life studies, or, in the case of the Danish royal family, from photographs. Princess Alexandra is wearing a blue-mauve dress with a velvet fur-trimmed jacket and is accompanied by her family; King Christian IX of Denmark, Princess Dagmar, later Empress of Russia, Prince Frederick of Denmark, Prince George of Denmark and Queen Louise.