The reconciliation

Gillray, James, 1756-1815 · November 20, 1804

The King steps forward to embrace the Prince of Wales, who throws himself into his father's arms. George III wears court dress, the Prince's dress is tattered and disheveled, his pocket hangs inside out, the garter at his knee is loose. Behind the King stands the Queen on the door-step, half-smiling, her arms outstretched. Two pleased princesses look over her shoulder. Just outside the door stand Pitt and Moira watching the reconciliation, Pitt with a benign expression, Moira more doubtfully; both wear footmen's court-livery, of military cut. Moira wears jack-boots. Pitt holds a paper, 'New Union Act Britains best Hope', implying that he is the author of the 'Union.' Moira holds Pitt's arm. Beside the house (r.) are a tree and a balustrade, against which grow a rose-bush and a thistle. After the title: "And he arose and came to his Father, and his Father saw him, & had compassion, & ran, & fell on his Neck, & kissed him." -Read the Parable. Verse 16th to 24th (BM). / On the reconciliation of the prince with his royal father, which was said to have been brought about chiefly by the intermediation of Pitt and Lord Moira. It is not an unapt parody on the story of the prodigal son (Wright/Evans).