King George V, Queen Mary and members of the Royal family on the steps of St Paul's Cathedral with the Archbishops of Canterbury and York and state trumpeters.

A study for the large painting commissioned for the Royal Exchange to commemorate the National Thanksgiving Service held at St Paul's, July 6, 1919. In his autobiography Salisbury recounts how luck provided him with this striking composition: 'It did not occur to me to go to St. Paul's before the service, so the choice of the position was left to the chance of the moment. Happily an inspiration came at the end of the beautiful service, when the royal procession, the archbishops with the representatives of all the Churches, and the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs, moved in stately dignity to the great west door… I realized the immense possibilities of this scene, and took up a position at the foot of the steps, where I had a fine view of the impressive group.'

King George V sat for Salisbury at Buckingham Palace on 12 October 1919 and the King and Queen visited the artist's studio to see the finished painting on 22 February 1920.

Salisbury was commissioned to paint numerous important national events and royal ceremonies, including 'The Passing of the Unknown Warrior, 1920 (RCIN 404458), 'The Marriage of Princess Mary', 1922 (RCIN 404482) and the Jubilee Thanksgiving Service, 1935 entitled 'The Heart of the Empire' (RCIN 404703).