Painting of the Day: Preparing for the Coronation, 1937

Preparing for the Coronation
Martin Hardie, 1937
Part of Queen Mary's post-Great War "Recording Britain" Effort
The Victoria & Albert Museum
Click image to enlarge.

In honor of both King George V and Queen Elizabeth II, we have here a very special watercolor depicting King George VI (George V and Queen Mary’s second son, Bertie, and father to Queen Elizabeth II). 

Painted by Martin Hardie (1875-1952) in 1937, the scene shows the local preparations of West Malling (Kent) for the coronation of King George VI.  This coronation was almost going to be that of King Edward VIII, but thanks to Wallis Simpson and the Abdication Kerfuffle ™, “Bertie” stepped in and ascended the throne in his elder brother’s place. 

Hardie cleverly has given us an almost candid view of West Malling’s townsfolk hanging bunting on buildings in the town square.  


Pardon me for a moment while I hawk some mugs and t-shirts.  But, don't you want your very own  Abdication Kerfuffle ™ items?  I know you do.