King William IV sits on a stool of 'repentance' turning in despair towards the prime minister, Lord Grey and Chancellor Brougham as Queen Adelaide stands behind with her fist clenched. Lithograph by R. Seymour, 1832.

On the crisis of the Reform Bill which was eventually passed on 7 June 1832. The cabinet resolved to resign unless the King would agree to the creation of additional peers. The King preferred to accept their resignations and called on the Duke of Wellington, who is seen retreating with bowed head and back to the left, to form an administration. Grey saved the day by withdrawing his followers from the house to allow the Reform Bill to pass without recourse to extra peers. Grey holds a copy of the bill in his hand. William IV cries into the end of his Chancellor's wig. Queen Adelaide appears angry since she was opposed to change, a fact that made her unpopular for her interference in politics