The steep viewpoint chosen by the artist enables him to provide an overall view of the 'theatre' created for the Coronation of 1953 in the crossing of Westminster Abbey. The artist depicts the moment when Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh approaches to pay homage to the new Queen. The juxtaposition of the chandelier with St Edward's Throne is one indication of how Cuneo exploited the space within the Abbey. The careful selection of this particular viewpoint in the Royal Gallery North allows Cuneo to include most of the principal participants and onlookers. The loose brushwork and vivid contrasts in colour enliven the scene, just as the treatment of light (including the shafts of sunlight) heighten the sense of drama.

The young King Charles III, when Duke of Cornwall, stands on the front row of the lower balcony, with Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother on the left and Princess Margaret on the right. In total, 53 figures have been identified, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of Durham, the Earl of Scarbrough (Lord Chamberlain) and the Duke of Norfolk together with various Maids of Honour and pages.

The artist attended all eight rehearsals for the event and took up position at 7am on the morning of the Coronation, sketching for the next eight hours. The Coronation picture took a year to complete and many of those present undertook sittings for the artist wearing their appropriate robes or uniforms. The painting was presented to Queen Elizabeth II by her Lieutenants of Counties at a dinner at Lancaster House on 15 July 1954, when The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh were entertained by the Lords Lieutenants of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It was subsequently published in 'The Illustrated London News' on 24 July, 1954 with a key identifying the figures.