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This painting of Prince William and Catherine Middle-
ton’s wedding is part of an exhibition by Kent artist
Peter Kuhfeld. He was commissioned by the Prince
of Wales to paint the royal wedding and sat up in the
eaves of Westminster Abbey to catch the moments
with a sketch book and pencil.

Since the coronation of Edward II in 1308, monarchs the past century. (Prior to that the ceremonies generally
have been crowned on St. Edward’s Chair—known as the were held privately in palace or castle chapels.) Queen Vic-
Coronation Chair. The Abbey's present Gothic-style archi- toria’s granddaughter, Princess Patricia of Connaught, mar-
tecture is attributed to King Henry III, who had much of ried in the Abbey in 1919—the first royal wedding to be held
it rebuilt during the mid-13th century. here in over 500 years!
The first royal wedding in Westminster Abbey was held on Four years later, in 1923, Prince William’s great-grandmother,
Nov. 11, 1100, when William the Conqueror’s fourth son, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (then Lady Bowes-Lyon)
later King Henry I, married Princess Matilda of Scotland--for started the tradition of royal brides leaving their bridal bou-
love, they say! Despite the Abbey’s rich history, the major- quets atop the engraved black Belgian marble of The Grave
ity of the royal weddings have taken place here just during of the Unknown Warrior. In memory of her brother, killed

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