Mary II (1662-1694), late 17th century (oil on canvas)

Creator: Sir Godfrey Kneller A three-quarter length portrait of Queen Mary wearing her coronation robes and facing slightly to the left. She is surrounded by her regalia, her crown on the table to her right, and her right hand resting on the orb. Mary's left hand holds the ermine on her skirt. Her costume is heavily jewelled and she is standing in front of rich brocade drapes. Mary was the eldest daughter of James, Duke of York, later James II and married Prince William of Orange in 1677. During the 1688 Revolution she supported her husband and Protestantism rather than her Catholic father. She succeeded to the throne in 1688, following the flight of her father, James II. Queen Mary II reigned as joint sovereign with her husband, William of Orange from 1689-1694. Administrative power was vested solely in William and Mary received no substantive regal power. Under these constitutional arrangements she ruled as Regnant Queen during William's absences for nearly three years and otherwise as Consort Queen. She proved to be both astute and successful and she strongly supported the building of a seamen's Hospital in Greenwich. However she did not see the dream completed and died of smallpox in December 1694 at the age of 32. Her early death persuaded William to carry on with the project. The Hospital was not finished for many decades, but admitted the first pensioners in 1705. This portrait is thought to be an early replica and is inscribed 'Queen Mary' (see also BHC3094).