[M] WILLIAM ADOLPHUS KNELL (BRITISH, 1805-1875) The arrival of Prince Albert aboard the P.S. 'Ariel' at Dover en route to London for his marriage to Queen Victoria in 1840

WILLIAM ADOLPHUS KNELL (BRITISH, 1805-1875)

The arrival of Prince Albert aboard the P.S. 'Ariel' at Dover en route to London for his marriage to Queen Victoria in 1840

Signed 'W.A. Knell' (lower right)

Oil on canvas

17 x 23½in. (43 x 60cm.)

Christie's South Kensington, Maritime Sale, 5 May 1994, lot 155;

Another example purchased by Prince Albert on 16 July 1841 is held within the Royal Collection (ID; RCIN 407161).

Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg had been groomed to become his cousin Victoria’s consort long before they ever met and after his successful visit to England in 1836, it was tacitly agreed between them that they would marry. In October 1839 he returned for a short visit during which their betrothal was announced and then went home to Germany whilst the marriage preparations were put in hand. The wedding day having been fixed for 10 February 1840. Albert left Gotha on 28 January and was soon in Calais, where he found two vessels waiting to convey him and his suite across the Channel. The Admiralty packets Ariel and Firebrand were under the temporary command of Lord Clarence Paget although aboard Ariel was Mr Henderson, one of the most experienced pilots in the Service. Ariel, a paddle steamer of 130 tons, had been built as Arrow in 1822 for the General Post Office, was lengthened in 1833 and renamed when the Admiralty took her over in 1837.

By the time the Prince was ready to sail, the wind had freshened to half a gale, and the conditions made it impossible to board the 510-ton Firebrand. Thus, the entire party embarked in the tiny Ariel for what was to be a frightening passage lasting 5½ hours. Thrown about by huge seas, her puny 60hp engine could do little to lessen the discomfort of her passengers, and most of those aboard her quickly became convinced that they would never complete the crossing. Eventually, Ariel limped into Dover to the cheers of a large crowd that had gathered to greet the Queen’s future husband despite the appalling weather. So as not to disappoint the people, Prince Albert came on deck to acknowledge the welcome despite the effects of the severe sea-sickness from which he was suffering wretchedly. He did his best to smile, but as he admitted later, his face was ‘the colour of a wax candle’.

Condition Report

Relined, cleaned, retouching, stretcher line to left hand side.

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