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Greatbach's engraving is made after Sir David Wilkie's
The Entrance of King George the Fourth at Holyrood, begun in 1823
and completed in 1829. It shows the King, accompanied by trumpeters, a
page, and the Exon of the Yeoman of Guard, arriving in front of the Palace
of Holyrood.
Alexander, 10th Duke of Hamilton, the Hereditary Keeper
of the Palace, is offering him the keys of the Palace. Before the entrance
of the building, in full Highland dress, stands George 6th Duke of Argyll,
Hereditary Master of the Household in Scotland. Behind him three mounted
figures bear the Honours of Scotland: Sir Alexander Keith, the Knight
Marischal bears the Crown; Lord Francis Leveson-Gower, representing his
mother the Countess of Sutherland, bears the Sceptre;
George 17th
Earl of Morton bears the Sword of State.
Standing to the right of the Knight Marischal, as his
Page of Honour, is Sir Walter Scott's younger son Charles. Scott himself
is the third figure from the left, standing next to John, 4th Earl of
Hopetoun who is wearing the uniform of Captain-General of the Royal
Company of Archers.
During his visit, the King stayed at
Dalkeith Palace, in
preference to the Palace of Holyroodhouse which was in a poor state (as
can be seen in the painting). Dalkeith is owned by the Duke of
Buccleuch.
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