The Coronation Banquet of George IV in Westminster Hall

George IV became King of Great Britain, Ireland and Hanover upon the death of his father, George III, in 1820. The Coronation ceremony was customarily followed by a banquet in Westminster Hall, attended by the nobility and gentry. During the banquet, it was traditional for the King's Champion, in armour and on horseback, to approach and challenge any comer to deny the King's right to the Crown. In this painting, Henry Dymoke, the Hereditary King's Champion, is seen riding up the hall between the Deputy Earl Marshal and the Lord High Constable. The King sits at the far end of the hall, wearing the Crown, while peers occupy the two rows of tables on either side.

The coronation banquet of George IV was the last time that the challenge was made. At the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, the current champion was present as Standard Bearer of the Union Flag.