THE QUEEN IN PARLIAMENT

This lively scene shows Queen Victoria arriving for the State opening of Parliament on 5th February, 1861.

The artist was David Roberts, RA. Sir Charles Barry, architect of the new Palace of Westminster, had died in the previous year; but, shortly before his death, he had discussed with Roberts the production of a series of pictures of London from the Thames - a project originally suggested to Roberts by a much greater artist, J. M. W. Turner. So Roberts began to make sketches of the Houses of Parliament and the river and completed seven paintings. The one reproduced here is probably an offshoot of this series.

If Queen Victoria saw this picture, as no doubt she did, it would have had a special and poignant interest for her; for this was the last occasion on which she was accompanied to Parliament by the Prince Consort, who died ten months later.

Her Prime Minister on this date was Lord Palmerston, and the Speech from the Throne which he would have drafted for her was mainly

concerned with foreign affairs. It began: 'My relations with Foreign Powers continue to be friendly and satisfactory; and I trust that the Moderation of the Powers of Europe will prevent any Interruption of the general Peace.'

This was, perhaps, euphemistic, for there were already several such interruptions, as the Speech itself went on to record: atrocities in Syria; British and French forces in action in China (they had become 'masters of the Imperial City of Pekin'); insurrection in New Zealand; 'serious differences among the States of the North American Union' (where the Prince of Wales had lately received a cordial welcome).

The Speech did not omit to mention the copyright convention which the Queen had signed with the King of Sardinia.

If not entirely peaceful, it was an age of imperial confidence.

*The painting is now in the possession of Mr M. Bernard of 21 Ryder Street, London, SW1.*