This painting illustrates a poignant moment in Scottish history. Mary, Queen of Scots, wearing dark red and  black, holding  a crucifix and rosary in her lap, and contemplating a miniature of her husband  and a completed letter to Henri III of France, brother of her first husband waits for her death warrant.

There is a three quarter length portrait of Edward VIII in his coronation robes in the collection of Ealing Town Hall, the portrait is signed and dated 1903, it is probable that this portrait was painted at the same time and shortly after the Kings Coronation on  August 9, 1902.