In October 1837, Queen Victoria commissioned Wilkie to execute a painting depicting her first meeting with the Privy Council, which took place on the morning of her accession to the throne. Wilkie’s composition evolved over a number of months and entailed sittings with many individuals. This study represents a stage fairly close to the final painting, which is in the next room, with the seated Queen as the focal point to the left and key figures grouped around the table. In the Royal Collection by 1950