2019 marks the 145th anniversary of the only direct marriage between the British Royal and Russian Imperial families; the wedding in January 1874 of Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh and Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna.  In this illustrated talk, Stephen Patterson, co-curator of the current exhibition at The Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace Russia: Royalty and the Romanovs will explore the negotiations for the wedding, the ceremonies and celebrations in St Petersburg, Moscow, Windsor and London and the art in the Royal Collection associated with the dynastic union.

Stephen Patterson who has written and lectured widely on orders and decorations, has worked for the Royal Household for over 30 years. With his team, he is responsible for the documentation of all works in the Royal Collection. He has been researching Russian works in the Collection for over five years in preparation for the current exhibition.