In 1822 George IV visited Scotland, the first British reigning monarch to visit for nearly two hundred years. The King’s programme and accompanying pageantry, centred on Edinburgh, was devised by the Scottish writer, Sir Walter Scott. The main ceremonies, which included the King’s arrival at the port of Leith, a banquet and a highland ball, were designed to confirm George IV as the legitimate king and latest in a long line of Scottish monarchs. Wilkie witnessed many of the events and was present at the arrival of George IV at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the King’s ancient Scottish royal residence. In this painting Wilkie has conveyed the pomp and ceremony of the occasion as the King, dressed in Field Marshal’s uniform, is presented with the keys to the Palace by the Duke of Hamilton, the premier peer of Scotland and Hereditary Keeper of Holyroodhouse. They are surrounded by members of the Scottish nobility who escort the Honours of Scotland (the Crown, the Sceptre and the Sword) on horseback. The painting has suffered from an excessive use of mastic resin mixed with oil paint (megilp) which Wilkie used to achieve the rich depth of tone he had seen in the work of Rembrandt and other Dutch masters. This technique has resulted in large areas of visible craquelure. Commissioned by George IV