Katie Chappell recreates Painting by R.H.C. Ubsdell of the future Edward VII and his new bride destroyed by bombing in WW2

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It is March 1863. Prince Edward (the future King Edward VII) and Princess Alexandra have just returned via Portsmouth on HMY Fairy from honeymoon at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.  They are greeted by Portsmouth Corporation; the Mayor, Mr W.G. Chambers, The Town Clerk, Mr Hellard, the Rev. J.P. Stigant, the Mace Bearer Mr Martell, the Town Crier; and R.H.C. Ubsdell who had prepared the congratulatory addresses, and who was to record the scene in this painting. Ubsdell used the opportunity to present the Prince & Princess with four watercolours of the celebrations a week earlier in Portsmouth to mark their wedding. The original painting was destroyed by the German Bombing of Portsmouth in World War 2, and has been recreated by portrait artist Katie Chappell from a grainy photograph of the picture and additional pictorial references. In the background Fort Blockhouse fires a Royal Salute.

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