A view over the heads of spectators in Westminster Abbey towards George, Duke of York and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon at the altar; members of the Royal Family, including King George V and Queen Mary, to the right of the couple, near the portrait of Richard II.

This scene was painted over ten years after the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of York, later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth on April 26, 1923 and the high view point suggests that it may be derived from a photograph (see RCIN 2303582).

Up until the twentieth century it was usual for royal marriages to be celebrated privately and this was only the third royal marriage to take place in Westminster Abbey since Richard II married Anne of Bohemia in 1382. Princess Mary's marriage to Henry, Viscount Lascelles a year earlier was documented by Frank O Salisbury (RCIN 404482).

There were to be no floral decorations in the Abbey and no decorations in the Mall, as both the King and Duchess were aware that these may be perceived as extravagant in these austere times. At the Abbey the Duchess was attended by eight bridesmaids and the bridegroom, by two of his brothers, the Prince of Wales and Prince Henry. The wedding service was read by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. Randell Davidson, and the address given by the Archbishop of York, the Most Rev. Cosmo Lang.

The Duchess of York wore a dress of cream chiffon moiré, with appliqué bars of silver lame and over her dress she wore a long train of silk net, and a point de Flandres lace veil, lent to her by Queen Mary. The weather was mixed, the sun emerging just as the Duchess of York arrived at the Abbey; a ray of sunlight appears to fall on the royal couple at the centre of the painting.