Treasures of Buckingham Palace: The christening of Queen Victoria's eldest son
Discover another masterpiece by George Hayter, which captures the royal christening of Queen Victoria's eldest son, Albert Edward, in 1842, the future King Edward VII. The painting shines with beams of light, highlighting the Queen at the heart of the scene and Archbishop William Howley cradling the young Prince of Wales.
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In this painting, Hayter depicts the christening of Queen Victoria's eldest son,
Albert Edward, which took place in St George's Chapel at Windsor on 25th February 1842.
Shafts of light stream through the windows, highlighting two key areas,
Queen Victoria, who's positioned right at the centre of this crowded scene,
and William Howley, Archbishop of Canterbury, who holds the young Prince of Wales in his arms.
The silver gilt lily font has been used for the occasion,
having been commissioned for the baptism of Victoria's eldest child, Princess Victoria,
it's been used at many royal christenings ever since.